Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens

Vision & Mission

Lakeside Commons was developed as an educational garden for hands-on interactive learning fro all citizens in Campbell County and neighboring Greater Cincinnati.  Plants and growing techniques shown in the gardens are based on research conducted at one of the top land grant institutions in the country.  The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides horticultural support service throughout the state to its citizens with the aid of its knowledgeable County Cooperative Extension Service.

Located on US 27 in Northern Kentucky, Lakeside Commons is minutes from Cincinnati in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

The temperate climate zone allows for a relatively long growing season and diverse plant life.  Since its inception in 1995 and first plantings of perennials and flower beds, grasses, a rose garden, perennial herbs and flowers, shrubs and other native plants and hardwood trees.

Public Gardens

Enjoy a stroll through meandering paths next to the lake at Lakeside Commons.  Pause on a bench and reflect on natures bounty and beauty.

Seasonal annuals and perennials can be evaluated in 28 irrigated raised beds.  New accessible beds contain flowers and vegetables cultivated and harvested by volunteers.  Over 1,000 woody plants are labeled for identification, and a fruit orchard was planted in 2000. Large rose and flower beds contain over 600 cultivars of plants.

There is no better place to learn about the many plants suitable for growing in our area than at Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens.

History

In the fall of 1995, the Campbell County Extension District Board proposed to the fiscal court the development of an educational garden on the 3-acre site which adjoins the Extension Service building.

Over the next two years, plans were developed by the 40 Campbell County residents e5rving on a task force.  Membership of the task force featured a diverse geographic and socio-economic mix of county residents.  The task force was led through the design process by Human Nature, Inc., a landscape architectural design firm.

Ground was broken for Phase One of the gardens in the spring of 1999. Construction was completed in the fall of 1999.

Naming of the gardens was an effort involving all sponsoring entities and the task force.  Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens was decided upon to emphasize the true intent of the gardens: EDUCATION.

Education & Recreation

The gardens are used by the Campbell County Extension Service to teach hands-on horticulture. Field trips and tours can be scheduled for school and other groups. Workshops are given throughout the year.  Master Gardener Classes are offered in cooperation with Boone and Kenton Counties, the Northern Kentucky Master Gardeners Association and the University of Kentucky.

Volunteer Opportunities

The gardens could not function without the help of a large group of dedicated volunteers.  Many of these volunteers are Master Gardeners.  The Northern Kentucky Master Gardener Program continues to be instrumental in the success of The Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the gardens or becoming a Master Garden should contact the Campbell County Extension office at:

3500 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights, KY

(859) 572-2600   Fax (859) 572-2619