History of the Hauck Botanic Garden
1934 Mr. Hauck bought
additional property and began modifying and planting the area to
create his vision of a sanctuary from the bustle of the city. It
became known as ‘Sooty Acres’ due to the many coal
burning factories that surrounded the site.
1942 The idea for
the CGC was born in response to the Victory Garden Program. Peg
Macneale was the first director of this agency, formed to be a
gardening resource to the community.
1951 A two acre site
was donated to be the new home of the CGC. It was part of the ‘Sooty
Acres’ property of Mr. Hauck.
1960 A Plant, Herb and Hosta
Sale was held which evolved into the annual May event.
1971 The Green Thumbs
program was begun to teach gardening to children.
1975 The Dwarf Conifer
Garden was established, the first of its kind in the city.
1981 Under the guidance of Margie Rauh, Executive Director, the Neighborhood
Gardens Program began, quickly becoming a model for other cities.
1983 The Herb Demonstration
Garden was established.
1999 The Pat Kipp Memorial Shade Garden
was planted.
2002 The Outdoor Classroom
for Compost Education was built in collaboration with Hamilton
County Environmental Services.
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The Hauck Botanic Garden is
part of the award-winning Cincinnati Park system located at the corner
of William Howard Taft and Reading Roads in Avondale. The park, bequeathed
to Cincinnati Parks by the late Cornelius Hauck, encompasses much
of Mr. Hauck's estate known as Sooty Acres. While the Civic Garden
Center resides on a portion of the park, most of the park is owned
and maintained by the Cincinnati Park Board.
The Civic Garden Center has developed
gardens throughout the park that are maintained by staff and volunteers.
These garden areas include the Pat Kipp Memorial Shade Garden, the
Morgens Bretz Memorial Garden, the Peg Macneale Memorial Daffodil
Garden, the Dwarf Conifer Garden, the Hoffman Terrace, the Sun and
Butterfly Garden, the Reading Road Beautification Garden, the Stout
Medal Award winning daylily collection, and the Herb Garden. |
