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Demonstration Gardens*

Third St. (take airport exit off 63/54 and go west; look for sign)
North Jefferson City, MO

In 1998 the Demonstration Gardens were conceived and constructed in North Jefferson City, adjacent to the present site of the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Community gardens. It consisted of a vegetable garden with heritage plants, an herb garden, a children’s garden of sensory plants and an adjoining composting area. A Missouri Department of Conservation Grant was awarded in January of 2004 to construct a larger, public-oriented educational garden that included permanent informational signage and focused on plants described in the writings of Lewis and Clark. This joint venture of the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department, CMMG and community volunteers resulted in three ‘Missouri theme’ gardens. A Lewis & Clark Garden of native Missouri plants, a perennial garden featuring ‘Plants of Merit’ from the Missouri Botanical Garden program, and a Missouri River-replica bog garden were designed and integrated with the original Demonstration Gardens. From spring through autumn the gardens receive frequent gardening attention and the wide range of perennials offer a near continuous floral display throughout this period.

*The Lewis & Clark Garden was made possible by a Missouri Department of Conservation 2004 Lewis & Clark Grant and through community contributions to the Friends of the Gardens. Many local businesses and individuals generously contributed as Friends of the Gardens, such as the Leadership Jefferson City Class of 2004 and the Central Missouri Carpenters Apprentice Program, who built the river bridge and arbor. The Jefferson City Parks & Recreation staff built the pavilion and hauled in the river dirt, rocks, and gravel. A local scout troop erected and monitored the bluebird trail in the adjoining park. Over 75 Central Missouri Master Gardeners contributed more than 3000 hours.