Rachel Osgood

The Spirit of Nature

Rachel Osgood, Parks and Recreation Marketing Intern, No Phone Number Available


Friday, September 18, 2015 at 3:18 p.m.

The Spirit of Nature

Escape the chaos of the urban jungle in Spokane's 90-acre oasis - Manito Park. Originally named Montrose Park for the wild roses that color the landscape, the name was changed in 1903 to Manito, meaning spirit of nature in the local native dialect. Indeed, walking amongst the rows of immaculate flowerbeds, manicured lawns, and overflowing conservatories, it is impossible not to encounter nature's spirit.

More than 150,000 visitors are drawn to Manito's gardens, playgrounds, and ponds each year. Start your morning off with a warm mug of coffee from the Park Bench Café as you stroll past the swans that grace Mirror pond, the Park's centerpiece.  Whether you crave the delicate perfume of lilac that pervades the summer breeze, or the mosaic of the autumn leaves, Manito offers visitors their flavor of escape. The parks is free to visitors, so take a drive up the South Hill and experience the spirit of nature; experience Manito.

Park Attractions include:

Nishinomiya Japanese Garden: A tribute to Spokane's sister city Nishinomiya, this classic Japanese style garden offers tranquility to those who enter its gates.

Gaiser Conservatory: Escape to the tropics in this colorful conservatory with beautiful flowering displays during all seasons

Duncan Garden: The most dramatic of the parks gardens, this classic European Renaissance-style garden encompasses 3 perfectly manicured acres and is a popular location for weddings and photography./p>

Joel E. Ferris perennial Garden: A gentle sloping green blanked with a rainbow of perennial blooms that showcase diversity of this plant family.

Rose Hill: Named number one in the nation by All-American Rose Selections, this garden boasts over 150 varieties of roses and serves as one of the foremost horticultural attractions in the Inland Northwest.

Lilac Garden: Home of the annual Lilac festival, this garden celebrates the flower for which Spokane is named the “Lilac City.”

Moor Turner Heritage Gardens: Nestled on a steep hillside, this historic garden celebrates the structures, staircases, and trails that characterized the garden in the early 20th century.

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