Scoping out Schedel Arboretum & Gardens

ELMORE — Those with the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa County Improvement Corp. recently toured Schedel Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore. During a visit with Veronica Sheets, the site's events and development director, they learned about this "stunning 17-acre garden estate, a sought-after destination for weddings and special events," according to a corporation statement. "Joe and Marie Schedel envisioned a nature-based sanctuary where all are welcome to experience their legacy in perpetuity — a vision that lives on today through Schedel's mission to inspire current and future generations through nature and the arts," it read. "The estate features several on-site venues, including the Blair Museum and the Brown Welcome Center along with its newest addition: the Marilyn Bandfield Pavilion," the statement continued. "Completed in 2024 and accommodating up to 300 guests, the pavilion has already made a major impact, nearly doubling the number of events and receptions hosted." Officials noted how this marks "a powerful example of how honoring legacy and investing in the future can drive growth and community connection."