Monet Garden of Muskegon (Lakeshore Garden Masters)

Mission: To bring together gardeners for fellowship, plant exchange, educational programs, and support for volunteer garden projects that enhance community spaces and foster a love of gardening.

The Lakeshore Garden Masters is an independent organization of Western Michigan gardeners who share a passion for cultivating beauty and community through gardening. Our signature project, the Monet Garden, began over a decade ago when Florence Bright envisioned transforming a neglected lot outside her bridal shop in downtown Muskegon into a vibrant garden inspired by the famous Monet Garden in France. With her generous donation and the support of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, the City of Muskegon, and dedicated volunteers, the garden was brought to life with a pond, a Monet-style bridge, characteristic plants, and flagpoles honoring the US and France.

Since its creation, the Monet Garden has been lovingly maintained by the Lakeshore Garden Masters and has become a cherished destination in the Heritage District at the corner of Clay and Fifth Streets.

The Monet Garden features a serene pond, a Monet-style bridge, and vibrant plantings, including perennials, annuals, and bulbs reminiscent of Monet’s famous garden. Maintained by the Lakeshore Garden Masters and funded by an endowment and community donations, the garden provides a picturesque setting for weddings, tourism, and peaceful strolls. Through regular work sessions led by Chairperson Linda Hecksel, we ensure the garden remains a source of beauty and pride for the Muskegon community. Our efforts highlight the power of collective care in turning neglected spaces into cherished community treasures.

Open daily from dawn to dusk, it stands as a symbol of community pride, revitalization, and the transformative power of gardening.