On The Road: Wing Haven - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC
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By Liz Horton - bio l email
Two Gardens, one experience. That's the motto and lifestyle at Wing Haven. This three acre garden is nestled in the heart of suburban Charlotte. It was there that I met Valerie Fitch, a first timer. " I had no idea, absolutely no idea this is breathtaking it's awesome," she said.
The sanctuary became an escape more than eighty years ago from a few seeds sown by two neighbors. Today, the legend of Elizabeth Lawrence and Elizabeth Clarkson lives on in both bloom and song.
"It's very calming, very serene and just green, nice and green," said Fitch.
Dia Steiger, the executive director, has worked with Wing Haven for more than fifteen years. She showed me around. "What is so endearing to me about the garden is the sense of peace it gives us, and also the knowledge that there is so much life going on right outside our kitchen door."
Pink, yellow, and purple blooms surround you the moment you walk through the gate. If you look hard, you may see a few animals too. Wing Haven also provides a fun way for children to learn how to plant, water, and compost. As part of its outreach, admission is free for kids.
"We often forget we often think you have to travel some place else to visit a habitat or to see an eco system but it's all right here if we just open our eyes to it," Steiger said.
Fitch knows her children have learned an important lesson, not too far from home. "Respect for nature. They seem to have that respect already, but definitely an appreciation for gardens and insects."
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS
START: Charlotte, NC 28208 US
1. Start out going SOUTHEAST on ASHLEY RD toward BULLARD ST. (go 0.9 miles)
2. Take US-74 E. (go 3.0 miles)
3. Take the NC-16 S/KENILWORTH AVE exit, EXIT 2A, toward THIRD ST/FOURTH ST.
4. Take the KENILWORTH AVE ramp. (go 0.2 miles)
5. Turn RIGHT onto KENILWORTH AVE. (go 0.4 miles)
6. Turn LEFT onto E MOREHEAD ST. (go 0.3 miles)
7. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto S KINGS DR. (go 0.7 miles)
8. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto W QUEENS RD. (go 1.0 miles)
9. Turn RIGHT onto CROYDON RD. (go 0.2 miles)
10. Turn RIGHT onto RIDGEWOOD AVE. (go 0.2 miles)
END: 260 Ridgewood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209-1632 US
TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME: 14 minutes | DISTANCE: 7.10 miles