Spring is in the air in Texas and with this turning of the season Clark Gardens in Mineral Wells, Texas has opened for business once again. For those that have never heard of Clark Gardens, I was not unlike you until roughly five years ago. A friend casually asked Adi and me, “Have you guys ever been to Clark Gardens?’
“I’ve never heard of it,” I responded.
“Oh, you’ve got to go,” my friend implored us. “Whenever I feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of the world, I drive out to Mineral Wells and escape into nature. You have see it to believe it.”
You never have to ask Adi twice to try something new, especially when it comes with such an unqualified endorsement as our friend gave us. With picnic basket in tow, Adi corralled me out the door of our Fort Worth home and we hit the road for our 45-minute drive to Mineral Wells which was a first for me as well. I had never been to Mineral Wells and quite honestly had never heard of it either. I chalked it up to just another small Texas town that dots the landscape on a drive through west Texas.
Mineral Wells is quaint with a loyal population that takes tremendous pride in their small Texas town. Just recently, Mineral Wells won the distinction of being named “The Health Capital of Texas.” I do have to admit that this seems a tad ironic because the only restaurants it boasts are fast food chain restaurants and to date nothing really screams “healthy” about this little town. The citizens of Mineral Wells plan to change that and Clark Gardens hopes to become the centerpiece of this health revolution.
Clark Gardens
The first time Adi and I arrived at Clark Gardens, it didn’t take long for me to realize what a hidden gem these gardens were—a masterpiece of horticultural wonders were waiting to be discovered. What sets Clark Gardens apart is not just its botanical beauty but the sense of seclusion it offers—it literally felt as if this was our personal property to be enjoyed and we didn’t have to lift a finger to upkeep it. This was my kind of garden.
As we stepped into this enchanting realm, we found ourselves surrounded by a diverse array of plant life, from native Texas species to exotic treasures from around the globe. We took a stroll through the Butterfly Gardens, where colorful winged creatures danced in the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that awed us, while we left our worries behind us. The journey continued through the Rose Garden, a fragrant fairytale, that invited us to lose ourselves in a sea of blooms and onward to the Japanese Gardens that beckoned us to pause and find peace in the midst of nature. We were hooked and it became our haven when the world shut down during 2020. When the rest of the world hunkered down inside, we ran straight for nature and went to Clark Gardens. Never was I so happy we trusted our own intuition.
Fast forward a few years and another mutual friend of ours asked us if we would be willing to lead a segment for a health retreat that was being held at…you guessed it…Clark Gardens. We jumped at the chance simply to spend the weekend at the gardens to enjoy a little nature and in the process, we met Carol Clark Montgomery who incidentally was the daughter of the couple who created these gardens. A friendship was born, and this is when we got to learn the history of this amazing oasis, tucked away in a small Texas town.
In 1972 Max and Billie Clark had a dream to transform their backyard into a botanical haven. They had purchased a large swath of land and Billie intended to make this a garden like no other. She was the visionary who created the gardens in her mind while Max went to work making her dream a reality.
What started as a small humble project, worked inch by inch, blossomed into 50 acres of captivating landscapes, charming gazebos, and secret corners waiting to be explored. Carol mentioned to us that both Max and Billie worked the land to create these gardens and it wasn’t uncommon to see Billie gardening in her mink coat. Max at 92 still finds time to tend to flowers and anything else he sees to make this a shrine to his wife who passed more than a decade ago.
The gardens twist and turn through this land and around each corner you will find some awe-inspiring slice of nature that will remind you that living in a concrete jungle comes at a cost. One turn off a path and you’ll be met by colorful peacocks; around another corner you may find a gaggle ducks swimming in a nearby pond quacking for all to hear; in a secluded corner you can easily find the perfect place to meditate or have a picnic. Clark Gardens has something for everyone.
Life slows down at Clark Gardens and for those seeking respite from the daily grind it offers the perfect environment to unwind and get in touch with nature once again. There is plenty of space to roam and if you’re looking for seclusion or a way to escape from large crowds of people these gardens are calling to you.
“Come and sit in silence. Allow the birds to be the only sounds you hear.”
Cultivating Joy
Adi and I had the great honor of hosting the kickoff of the new season at Clark Gardens with a “Cultivating Joy Workshop.” The workshop focused on returning to nature, sitting in silence and asking one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves: What brings me joy?
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. So often we live our lives with such a sense of duty that we fail to do something just for the joy of it. Although it may seem frivolous to some, I truly think this is a question more of us need to be asking ourselves. Not only what brings us joy, but just as importantly, how can we bring joy to others.
The city of Mineral Wells is serious about transforming into a health mecca and this workshop was just the beginning of what hopes to become a monthly series called Clark Gardens Wellness Experiences where together we will explore ways to become healthier and more vibrant by returning to nature. This weekend was dedicated to creating the space where those that attended could pose a very important question to themselves. What brings me joy?
For me, it’s simple things: My morning cup of coffee with Adi is one of my favorite times of the day. I love putting my feet in the grass each morning when we go to the park. I love hearing the birds as their songs call in a new day. I love goings walks and slowing down enough to look at the flowers. This is how we cultivate joy, by appreciating the seemingly insignificant things in life.
Adi and I were lucky enough, as guests of Carol Montgomery, to stay the weekend in the beautiful “Retreat” house at Clark Gardens. This beautiful home is tucked back in the gardens, among the trees, and is the perfect spot to get away from it all. This serene space offers a pool and hot tub which is the ideal place to watch the sunset.
Nature weaves its spell on you here. The flowers are bloom, the birds serenade you each morning as the sun crests over the horizon. This is how we were intended live yet we have strayed so far from our roots that we have created our own prisons living in our large cities. Maybe our forefathers were a little smarter than we give them credit for because it seems to me nature has a way of reminding us who were truly are—children of Mother Earth.
It was a delightful weekend where we got to visit old friends, meet new friends, and to bring a touch of awareness to cultivating a little more joy in our life, and couldn’t we all use a little more of that.