A Rose in the Hand

by Iona Clark

EXCERPT //

Chanticleer Garden

Wayne, PA.

A little further out in the suburbs, you’ll find Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania, which Erin Dougherty, public programs manager, describes as a “pleasure garden.” With 35 acres of rolling hills and vibrant flower beds located just 30 minutes from Philadelphia, Chanticleer is a perfect escape from the “heat domes,” we’re experiencing. It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dougherty emphasizes the beauty of having a picnic on the grounds in the designated areas. Perfect for date nights, family outings, or a solo trip, Chanticleer has endless spots to lay out a blanket and indulge in the foods of your choice (I’m bringing a slice of tomato pie and my favorite flavor of water ice, cherry). This summer, the grounds are open Friday nights until 8 p.m. with unlimited, unrestricted picnic spot choices. Dougherty says this has been popular as it creates a more intimate experience, as guests can set up anywhere in the park they’d like as opposed to the designated areas during normal hours.

With the welcoming atmosphere and abundance of outdoor furniture throughout the gardens allowing guests to take it all in, Doughetry says that Chanticleer’s motto is to “make all guests feel like they are a part of the Rosengarten family,” the previous owners of the estate before it became a public garden. Dougherty describes scenes of painters, writers, and photographers creating art on the grounds, and says it is the perfect place to just sit down and enjoy the calmness around you.

Do not fear if you are not well versed in the world of gardening. At Chanticleer, few varieties are labeled, which facilitates casual plant banter between garden-goers and tenders. Dougherty urges visitors to ask questions, make remarks, or just engage in talk with the groundskeepers about the garden itself.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the garden offers house tours, and the garden is open Wednesdays-Saturdays 10am-5pm. //

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Destinations // CHANTICLEER GARDEN