WARSAW — The dream of one person, Saralee Levin, took root in 1986, and on June 23, 1991 the Warsaw Biblical Gardens officially opened on the site previously occupied by Levin and Sons Scrap yard on Canal Street in Warsaw. Years of planning and preparation went into creating the beautiful gardens that today are enjoyed by thousands each year.

They are called gardens because the Warsaw Biblical Gardens has a variety of areas: forest, brook, meadow, desert, crop and herb gardens, grape arbor and a gathering place. The three-quarter acre garden site is one of very few like it in the United States. The term “biblical” refers mainly to the fact that the plants, trees, flowers and herbs are mentioned in the Old and/or New Testament of the Bible. These have been carefully researched to preserve the integrity of the Gardens’ uniqueness.

Operating for many years under the Warsaw Community Development Corporation, the Gardens became its own not-for-profit in May 2015. Board members are Jon Garber, Larry Plummer, Sally Hogan, Paul Refior, Kevin Zachary, Ann Zydek and Pardee Gunter, who serves as Head Gardener.

A twenty-five year celebration will be held in conjunction with the Lakes and Streams Festival from 1 t0 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, in the gardens. Tours will be available as well as a children’s activity. The Gardens are open for tours April 15 to Sept. 15. General walk-throughs are welcome from dawn to dusk from the start of Spring through the first frost. Admission to the Gardens is always free.