Gates to the Secret Garden

Beth Langford, Horticulturalist

In the late 1960's/early 1970's Marie Aull had wooden gates installed at the entrance of her and her late husband, John Weston Aull's beautiful and peaceful garden. Oh, the stories those gates could tell, if they could, of the many visitors who passed through into the gardens throughout the seasons, throughout the years.

In the late 1990's the gates were moved and were lovingly cared for by two sisters who often frequent the gardens, Karen Offenbacker and Kristie Gunter. After a number of years, the sisters decided to return the gates with the hope of them being reinstalled. The dark brown wooden gates stood in solitude in the Aull house basement for several years until 2023 when they were temporarily placed at the front entrance for the 100th Anniversary of John and Marie's wedding.

Jump to 2025 and say hello to volunteer James Glynn. James volunteered a number of times at Aullwood Garden and learned the story of Marie's wooden gates. He understood the historical significance and sentimental value they held. As part of the Cox Woodworking team, James surveyed the gates and assisted with the process of placing the gates in the Cox Woodworking cue. The woodworking team took great care in restoring the gates to their former beauty and soon will once again be placed permanently at the Aullwood Garden front entrance.

So, when you visit the gardens this fall season and see something "new", you are seeing something timeless and something local MetroPark patrons have lovingly helped to restore, and Marie would graciously beckon yu to come through the Gates to the Secret Garden and enjoy the timeless peace that awaits.

Learn more about this beautiful garden here and find volunteer opportunities in the garden here. Learn more about our MetroParks Historical Research volunteer opportunity here.