Hidden Lake Gardens

Environmental Stewardship: Animals, Conservation – land use
6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI 49287
Phone (517) 431 - 2060
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Our mission To maintain and improve Hidden Lake Gardens for the benefit and education of the public.To instill an appreciation of plants, gardens, landscapes and the natural environment for students, educators, the public, and to professionals of various disciplines.
Lansing, 1 Central Region
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Ways to help

Tour Guides

We train volunteers to provide educational tours for children and adults. Tours focus on the conservatory, nature hike, ponding, and other seasonal attractions at Hidden Lake Gardens.
  • Weekly, Monthly
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Outdoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Weekends

Gate House Attendants

Greet visitors, provide information, and collect admissions. Volunteers are needed weekdays from April to October.
  • Weekly
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor, Outdoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Weekends

Special Events

Assist with seasonal special events. We need volunteers to greet visitors, serve refreshments, guide children’s crafts, sell plants, and more.
  • Occasional
  • Adults
  • Groups (2-10)
  • Event support
  • None, On-site
  • Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends

Gardeners, Grounds, and Conservatory Helpers

Work with staff and other volunteers to help maintain plant collections, demonstration gardens, greenhouse displays, and hiking trails.
  • Occasional, Monthly
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Physical, Outdoor
  • On-site
  • Weekdays, Weekends

Sky Walk Docents

Greet visitors, provide information, and monitor visitor safety.
  • Weekly, Monthly
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Outdoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Weekends
How you help We value our volunteers and take time to match volunteers to each position.
About us Hidden Lake Gardens was donated to Michigan State University (then Michigan State College) in 1945 by Harry A. Fee, an Adrian businessman. He had always dreamed of owning a lake, and, upon his retirement in 1926, he purchased Hidden Lake along with 200 acres of land surrounding it. He repaired and refurbished the old farmhouse, built a greenhouse, and began farming. He soon realized that the land was not suitable for conventional farming or raising livestock, and so he began to grow nursery stock. Not wanting to compete with local nurseries during the depression, he planted the stock on his own land in an effort to create a "series of pictures," a philosophy that we continue to strive for today. Mr. Fee described Hidden Lake Gardens as a "dream as you go development". He built a road in from Hwy. 50 and landscaped it with a shrub and perennial border. The lake was cleaned out, and a small pond and rock garden were constructed.
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