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The fall color show has begun at The Parklands. Leaves on trees throughout our parks are changing as cool weather sets in. By late October, the splendor will reach a beautiful crescendo. In the meantime, bright notes are present in the forms of goldenrods and other wildflowers.

Grab a bench seat for the show during your next visit, go for a quiet stroll, or opt for a biking excursion. You might even take a scenic drive, using these directions.

In this article, our gardening team spotlights several places with foliage and vistas that make the season especially enchanting.

Fall magic to come

The Egg Lawn

Beckley Creek Park

While we’re not quite at the point of peak fall color, rustling leaves on trees and whirling foliage on the ground offer a cue that magic is on the horizon. Kayla Franck, Head Gardener at The Parklands, recommends the Egg Lawn Trail for viewing the progression of changing hues. At just 0.7 miles in length, this paved loop (for walkers and runners only) features many distinct species of trees grouped together by type all the way around.

Get directions here.

Humana Grand Allee

Beckley Creek Park

Another nearby site recommended by Kayla is the Grand Allee, a greenspace of mown fields and old barns and trails winding along Floyds Fork.

In 2022, a new “Fall Fiesta” maple planting was installed in this area. The cultivar is known for its extremely vibrant fall color in the red to yellow spectrum. Though these trees are young and small, our horticulture team expects them to grow and provide a spectacular color show, especially in years to come. If you continue across the wetland boardwalk, you’ll find an isle of black tupelo trees with leaves that also change to an intense, fiery red color.

Download map here.

Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden

Broad Run Park

If immersion into a woodsier atmosphere sounds ideal to you, make plans to visit the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden, which offers many breathtaking views across a hillside of 15 acres.

Cathedral of Cedars. Tyler Hampton, Lead Gardener at the Woodland Garden, says the Cathedral of Cedars is an ideal setting for taking in striking seasonal contrasts. Towering centuries-old trees reveal their colors in almost ceremonious fashion. In the background, bottlebrush buckeye, spicebush, and witch hazel all turn gold and stand out against dark green hollies before dropping their leaves. 

Glade and Glen Gardens. Kayla has her own favorite spot in the garden. She says there is a small grove of “Lanham’s Purple” sumac trees located at a path intersection between the Glade and Glen Gardens. She recommends a walk through this area around sunset or sunrise, while the light is angled from the horizon and diffused by the atmosphere­­—yielding a warm, rosy-gold illuminated forest.

While the main stone trail is considered easy, watch out for steps and uneven surfaces along the path, which is 0.9 miles one way. For the safety and enjoyment of visitors, the garden is for hiking only—no bikes or dogs allowed.

Download map here.

Splendor you can take in now

Flower-filled Gardens and Meadows

While the trees have only just started to change, there are many places in The Parklands that are already brimming with noticeable color in early October. Wide-open vistas with wildflowers in bloom provide beautiful options for scenic viewing on a nice fall day.

Pollinator Garden. Kayla says the Pollinator Garden next to the Gheens Foundation Lodge in Beckley Creek Park has yellow goldenrod, purple ironweed, and a spectrum of pink to purple asters. The tallest plant with yellow blooms, Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum), lingers from summer but is now tapering off.

Other fall plants that attract pollinators in The Parklands include late boneset (Eupatorium serotinum), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), and calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum). Shade-tolerant species such as the bluestem goldenrod (Solidago caesia) and Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) can be found in the Woodland Garden.

Lowland Plain. Tyler cites the Lowland Plain at Broad Run Park as a great area to see bright yellow wildflowers such as goldenrods and asters, along with Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa) and Maximilian sunflowers (Helianthus maximiliani).

Seaton Valley Meadow. Aaron Boggs, Director of Horticulture and Natural Areas at The Parklands, recommends sightseeing at the Seaton Valley Meadow at Turkey Run Park, an iconic gateway of the park system where grasslands, forested hills, and Floyds Fork all come together.

A couple of final fall notes:

Ready to take a fall hike in The Parklands? Check out this blog post for recommendations on viewing fall foliage from the trail.

We’ve covered the artful side of visiting The Parklands in the autumn season. To learn about the science behind changing and falling leaves, check out this blog post. You can also read about the importance of fall wildflowers.

Whether you’re visiting one of these areas, taking a stroll on one of the trails, or taking a fall paddle on the Fork, we hope you enjoy this beautiful fall season at The Parklands! Be sure to tag us in your photos on social media or submit your photos through this form.