By Meredith Winter
Thousands of commuters pass Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) headquarters daily, located in Annapolis across from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. But few know that situated behind it is a five-acre garden that represents various geographic areas around the state, including the forests of western Maryland, stream environments in central Maryland, and Eastern Shore marshes.
Referred to as “Annapolis’ secret garden” by The Friends of Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden and Arboretum board president Mary Stuart Sierra, the Tawes Garden is a free public green space tucked behind the Tawes State Office Building along Rowe Boulevard.
The Tawes Garden features a pond with a fountain, sculptures, towering trees, flowering plants, walking paths, places to sit and observe wildlife, and more. Depending on the season, Sierra shared that visitors can enjoy a pollinator garden, azaleas, daffodils, bluebells and other flowering plants. The arboretum has bald cypress trees with “knees,” or woody projections above the roots; the pond is surrounded by marsh plants; and redbuds and dogwoods dot the garden as well.
“It’s a good place for bird watching,” Sierra said. “About 120 species have been recorded in the garden – everything from great blue herons to wrens.”
She shared that other animal friends can be spotted at Tawes Garden, too, including foxes, opossums, raccoons, deer and turtles.
“It does offer shelter for local wildlife, and the garden horticulturist and the park service are working very hard on establishing it as an important pollinator space both for migrating and for local bees and butterflies,” Sierra added.
Signage and QR codes are placed throughout the garden for further education.
In the midst of a heavily developed area, the garden is an intimate, tranquil place for locals to go for a stroll, enjoy a picnic, and observe nature.
Prior to construction of the Tawes State Office Building and adjacent garden, the property was a flat cinder lot that served as home to the West Annapolis carnival for many years.
The garden is named in honor of Helen Avalynne Tawes, a former first lady of Maryland. Her husband J. Millard Tawes served as the state’s 54th governor from 1959-1967 and the couple shared a passion for environmental conservation. While in office, Governor Tawes doubled the land area managed by Maryland’s state park system and led the effort to establish Assateague Island as a National Seashore.
In 1975, Helen Avalynne Tawes broke ground on the garden named after her, and it was completed in 1977. Tawes was also an avid musician and cook; she studied piano and voice at the Peabody Conservatory and authored a popular cookbook, according to a biography on the DNR website.
Open seven days a week from dawn to dusk, Tawes Garden is accessible through the DNR lobby during business hours, or by following signs along a path around the building after hours and on weekends. Leashed dogs are welcome, and free guided tours are offered by advance request only.
The Tawes Garden is located at 580 Taylor Avenue in Annapolis. Learn more at www.tawesgarden.org.
Comments are closed.