The Pioneer Garden is a small area dedicated to northwest Ohio’s first settlers. It boasts a log cabin that once belonged to Peter Navarre, a well-known scout and frontiersman who is thought to be of Toledo’s first residents. It has been told that Johnny Appleseed himself planted the massive apple tree standing near the cabin. If true, the tree would be nearly 200 years old! Several native plants grow under its branches. An old Rosa Rugosa ‘Father Hugo’s Rose’ can be found on the north side of the cabin.

The garden itself is planted with a variety of heirloom vegetables and flowers that were likely grown in pioneer days. No chemicals are used to promote growth or control pests or diseases. Every attempt is made to grow this garden organically, as the pioneers would have done.