A stroll through the gardens
A colorful display of plants and flowers greets visitors at the main entrance to Hudson Gardens. The gardens are located at 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, on the west side, three miles north of Interstate C-470.
A short drive to the northwest sits a beautiful oasis on Santa Fe Drive near the heart of Littleton: Hudson Gardens. Perhaps best known to many as a concert venue and site of special holiday events, the gardens offer a lovely destination amid the city bustle and a place to enjoy the different seasons.
Hudson Gardens began with five acres of land on the banks of the South Platte River that King and Evelyn Hudson purchased in 1941 for their home and farm-to-table restaurant. Years later, after King’s death, Evelyn established a foundation to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of their land. The Hudson Gardens officially opened in 1996 and was later renamed The Hudson Gardens & Event Center to better reflect the growing popularity of the concerts, programs and other events hosted there.
Encompassing 30 acres, the gardens offer all sorts of delightful areas to discover. And considering the proximity to Santa Fe Drive, it is surprisingly peaceful. Concrete and gravel paths ideal for strolling take you through a variety of garden exhibits, such as The Colorado Garden, a vegetable and herb garden, a water garden, the songbird garden and many more. Roughly 20 sculptures are spread throughout – finding them can be a fun activity.
Here you will also find open spaces ideal for picnicking. Secluded benches tucked away near burbling water features offer charming spots for a serene mental boost. The turtle pond was originally an oxbow that formed along the nearby river. It is home to frogs, muskrats, raccoons, red foxes, the occasional beaver and the turtles. Look carefully and you just might spot a turtle sunning itself or poking its head out of the water.
The gardens are open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset with no admission charge. Parking is also free. The main parking areas, the main entrance and the gift shop are on the east side of the gardens. For a variety of local honey, be sure to stop off in the shop before you leave. A second entrance, with a wonderful coffee and snack shop, is at the northeast corner of the gardens, with access from the Mary Carter Greenway trail that runs alongside the South Platte River.
For more information about the gardens, events and programs, visit hudsongardens.org. To learn more about the history of the gardens, visit museum.littletonco.gov and search “Hudson.”
The water feature called the Cascades is reminiscent of a Colorado mountain stream. Benches along both sides provide spots to pause and enjoy the peace and natural beauty.
Article and photos by Susan Helton
