Greeley nature center provides urban oasis

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

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The G.M. Houston Gardens in Greeley, featured this month in the "Gardens on the Go" series, are full of surprises.

First, this seven-acre jewel is smack in the middle of the city. Second, while it does have a collection of gardens, the Houston property is primarily a nature center, a peaceful oasis showcasing Colorado's native plants and flowers.

And finally, it's pretty surprising that the Houston Gardens are maintained almost entirely by a nonprofit group, the Assistance League of Greeley. This group of philanthropically minded women works hard all year to earn the $30,000 necessary to keep up the grounds for the public's enjoyment.

In their former life, The G.M. Houston Gardens were part of a farm owned by the Houston family. In the early 1970s, Phylabe Houston donated the land to the Community Foundation for Greeley and Weld County in honor of her father, George. An extensive planning process followed, during which experts from Colorado State University worked out a master plan for the property.

The nature center commemorates Weld County pioneers who, in the 1870s, created a vision of what would be possible if water from the mountains could be used to irrigate the Great American Desert.

Water is indeed a central part of the nature center, which includes a manmade creek and ponds for irrigation. The native plants and trees in this area represent four of the state's five life zones, including the plains, foothills, montane and subalpine zones.

A winding path, that's wheelchair accessible, takes visitors from one life zone to the next. Along the way, folks may observe the American plum tree - the only fruit tree native to the state - and boxelder trees, which pioneers tapped to make syrup for their hotcakes. There are also prickly pear cacti, yucca plants, rabbitbrush and a wide variety of conifers, to name just a few of the Colorado natives.

A fox has made the nature center its home, and lucky visitors may observe her with her kits.

Other special features of the property include community gardens that can be rented for the growing season, and a lovely meadow that's often used for weddings. The gardens are rented out for class reunions, birthday parties and receptions. There's also a nationally recognized display garden maintained by the Northern Colorado Iris and Daylily Club.

The Assistance League organizes education programs every year, including several for children. An especially popular program is Children in the Garden, during which each participant plants a garden in a bucket. This year the event drew more than 100 youngsters.

To drive to the gardens, take Interstate 25 south to the U.S. Highway 34 exit and go east. Take the business route into Greeley (10th Street) and drive to 23rd Avenue. Turn north and drive until you cross Sixth Street, then turn left into a narrow, tree-lined driveway at 515 23rd Ave.

For more information about the G.M. Houston Gardens, call 353-4837.