By Sarah Bogues

Enjoy nature and seeing over 102 acres of greenhouses and gardens? If so, Elizabeth Park, a city park that holds the country’s oldest municipal rose garden with over 15,000 bushes of 800 rose varieties along with many other gardens and greenhouses, is the place for you.

Elizabeth Park, located in Hartford, Conn., is a little under 9 miles from the CCSU campus and is a great destination spot for those interested in picnicking, participating in a variety of park activities and of course seeing a pond, greenhouses and over six different types of gardens.

The park beholds a rose garden, centennial rose garden, herb garden, perennial garden, rock garden and a heritage garden all for the public’s eye.

After appreciating the many gardens and greenhouses, visitors can partake in an assortment of park activities such as tennis, lawn bowling, roller-blading and biking You can even have a pleasurable meal at the Pond House Café, the park’s restaurant and snack vendor.

Besides the many acres of green grass and gardens, Elizabeth Park also has many flower sales and shows, lectures and other events offered to the public. Even though the flower sales and shows are free to the public, each lecture costs about $10 per person unless part of the package deal.

From dawn to dusk every day of the year, Elizabeth Park is open with free admission and parking. The Pond House Café is open Tuesday thru Saturday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner. On Sundays the cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for brunch.

If looking for something to do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, take a ride to Elizabeth Park and enjoy a day filled with park activities, picnicking and of course, walking through its gorgeous and world-known gardens, greenhouses, pathways and lawns.