Lakewold Gardens

Location: Lakewood.

Length: About a half-mile.

Level of difficulty: Level to moderately sloping grass lawns and dirt/gravel/brick paths.

Setting: Far removed from its origins as a prairie maintained by burning by the Nisqually Indians, who harvested the roots of native camas plants, this site now holds a 10-acre former estate featuring plants from around the world. This area, once known as the Lakes District for its numerous spring-fed lakes, was claimed in the mid-1800s by a subsidiary of Britain's Hudson's Bay Co., which grazed sheep on the lush prairie grass. At the beginning of the 20th century, Tacoma business leaders established country retreats in this area. Declared a historic site in 1999, this former estate on the shores of Gravelly Lake balances both formal and informal garden design. European garden features include a rose garden, an Elizabethan knot garden featuring culinary herbs and flower gardens framed by boxwood. Less formal areas of the estate include a woodland garden, a fern garden and rock gardens. Most of the large (over 250 species) collection of both species and hybrid rhododendrons flourish along the drive in front of the neo-Georgian manor house.

Highlights: Several features, including a pool and the Circle Drive, were designed by Thomas Church, the famous landscape architect (the Olmsted brothers' influence is also suspected here). Labeled plant specimens can be identified in the garden plant database in the well-stocked library at the manor house. The annual Great American Picnic and Pops Concert will be held on Aug. 10, featuring antique cars and motorcycles and children's activities.

Facilities: Restrooms, water and gift shop. Prices: Adults $5; senior/student/military $3; children under 12 free. Hours: April-September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Wednesday); October-March, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed Monday through Thursday). Group tours year-round by advance arrangement.

Restrictions: No pets or bikes.

Directions: From Interstate 5 northbound or southbound, take Exit 124. Head west on Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest. In 1 mile, across from the intersection with Veterans Drive, turn right into the estate.

Information: 888-858-4106, 253-584-4106 or www.lakewold.org.

Cathy McDonald is co-author with Stephen Whitney of "Nature Walks In and Around Seattle," with photographs by James Hendrickson (The Mountaineers, second edition, 1997).