| White River Gardens | |
|---|---|
 White River Gardens in 2007 | |
 Interactive map highlighting the gardens within White River State Park | |
| Type | Botanical garden |
| Location | White River State Park Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°45′58″N 86°10′34″W / 39.766°N 86.176°W |
| Area | 3.3 acres (1.3 ha)[1] |
| Opened | June 13, 1999[1] |
| Designer | Woollen, Molzan and Partners Rundell Ernstberger Associates |
| Owned by | Indianapolis Zoological Society |
| Operated by | Indianapolis Zoo |
| Open | Daily, seasonal hours vary |
| Status | Open all year |
| Paths | 1.5 miles (2.4 km)[2] |
| Plants | 47,233[3] |
| Species | 3,055[3] |
| Public transit access |   8 |
| Cost | US$15 million[1] |
| Facilities | Hilbert Conservatory |
| Website | www |
White River Gardens is a botanical garden located at White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.[4] Established in 1999, the gardens are managed and operated by the Indianapolis Zoo.[2] In 2021, White River Gardens' 3.3 acres (1.3 ha) was home to nearly 50,000 plants of more than 3,000 species.[3] The complex includes a conservatory, fountains and water features, outdoor gardens, a dining and event facility, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of paths. The gardens are situated to the east of the zoo's entry plaza on the western bank of the White River overlooking downtown Indianapolis.[5][2]
- ^ a b c Mullen, Ruth (June 5, 1999). "From the ground up". The Indianapolis Star. pp. 53, 56. Retrieved October 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
As principal designer of White River Gardens, Eric Ernstberger was faced with the daunting challenge of building a 3.3-acre oasis in a former parking lot. His mission? To create a showcase garden that would reflect Indiana's agrarian roots, yet still capture the urban sensibility of Indianapolis. The resulting $15 million garden and building complex... (...) White River Gardens includes a $5.6 million building complex with a 5,000-square-foot glass conservatory designed by Woollen, Molzan and Partners. A cornerstone of White River State Park, the gardens will open to the public June 13.
- ^ a b c Hurst, Richard M.; Hillier-Geisler, Megan (2021) [1994]. "Indianapolis Zoo". Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c "2021 Indianapolis Zoo Annual Report". Indianapolis Zoo. p. 27. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- ^ "Discover the White River Garden | Our Facilities". Indianapolis Zoo. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Hilberts' gift of $3 million to help build zoo gardens". The Indianapolis Star. April 22, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved October 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
Conseco Chairman Stephen Hilbert has donated $3 million toward planned botanical gardens at the Indianapolis Zoo. The zoo announced the donation from Hilbert and his wife, Tomisue, on Monday. The three-acre White River Gardens is planned for the west bank of the river adjacent to the zoo.