Hauck Botanic Gardens

History and Heritage

Hauck Botanic Gardens is an 8-acre public park located in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. The garden was originally the private estate of Cornelius J. Hauck, a prominent Cincinnati philanthropist and avid horticulturist who lived from 1893 to 1967.

Hauck, who served as a Cincinnati Park Board member for 18 years, planted an extensive collection of approximately 900 varieties of trees, shrubs, and evergreens on the grounds during his lifetime. This diverse plant collection forms the foundation of the garden's current horticultural displays.

In 1969, following Hauck's death, the estate was sold to the Cincinnati Parks Department, transforming it into a public botanical garden.

Garden Features

The garden features a mix of heritage plantings from Hauck's original collection and more recent native plant installations. Visitors can explore various themed gardens, including a Native Food Forest and a Butterfly Garden, which were added in 2024.

The park also includes educational spaces, a production vegetable garden, and serves as an important urban green space and habitat for local wildlife.

Management and Recognition

Today, the garden is co-managed by the Cincinnati Parks Department and the Civic Garden Center, a non-profit organization.

In 2024, Hauck Botanic Gardens achieved Level 1 Arboretum accreditation through the ArbNet Accreditation Program, recognizing its commitment to tree-focused education, planning, and conservation.