Purdue Secrets, Hidden Treasures and Traditions

Purdue Horticulture Park and Stewart Woods

What happens to plants, shrubs and trees when construction occurs on the Purdue campus?

Many of those specimens are saved and moved to Horticulture Park.

The Horticulture Park officially opened in 1967. CW Beese was an engineering professor and horticulture enthusiast who donated the main parcel of land. He had been planting specimens since the 1940s in the area. The 24-acre park is the home of 300 different types of trees and plants. Stewart Woods connects to Horticulture Park and increases the opportunity to explore trails and nature. Stewart Woods, which is utilized for instruction by several different departments, includes an additional 22 acres and 1.45 miles of trails.

You may want to participate in an educational trail walk which points out 150 different trees or points of interest in Stewart Woods. Audio instructions are available. Enjoy an afternoon as you follow this guide through the forest and learn how to identify common trees in the area based on leaves, bark, fruit, and flowers. A trail map for Stewart Woods is available online.

The parks are open all week during daylight hours and located near the corner of West State Street and McCormick Road. The park provides a peaceful escape from the busy campus for walks and picnics.