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Grand
Rapids, MI – March 2025 / NewsmakerAlert: Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was named the Best Sculpture Park
in the United States for the third consecutive year in the USA TODAY
10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition, also awarded to Meijer
Gardens in 2024 and 2023, reaffirms the organization’s dedication to artistic
excellence, innovation, and an unparalleled guest experience.
The
USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the finest attractions,
destinations, and experiences across the United States. Following a rigorous
selection process—guided by a panel of experts and a public voting period—Meijer
Gardens once again secured the top honor, representing Michigan as the
only nominee from the state and surpassing other renowned sculpture parks
across the country.
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Following
is how USA TODAY 10Best described Frederik Meijer Gardens &
Sculpture Park in the contest: “Spanning
158 acres in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture
Park hosts outdoor gardens and a five-floor, 15,000-square-foot tropical
conservatory. The permanent sculpture collection features more than 200
works, many of which are displayed in the sculpture park.”
The
top 10 winners for Best Sculpture Park are ranked as follows, shortlisted
from an initial list of 20 nominations as the best in the United States
that were curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY
10Best editors before being voted on by the public:
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Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
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Vollis
Simpson Whirligig Park (Wilson, North Carolina)
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Brookgreen
Gardens (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina)
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Pyramid
Hill Sculpture Park (Hamilton, Ohio)
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Grounds
For Sculpture (Hamilton Township, New Jersey)
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Laumeier
Sculpture Park (Sappington, Missouri)
-
San Juan
Islands Sculpture Park (Friday Harbor, Washington)
-
Griffis
Sculpture Park (East Otto, New York)
-
Minneapolis
Sculpture Garden (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
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Storm
King Art Center (New Windsor, New York)
“Featuring
a seamless blend of beautifully curated gardens and internationally acclaimed
sculpture exhibits, it’s no wonder that Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture
Park has been crowned Best Sculpture Park in the USA TODAY 10BEST
Readers’ Choice Awards for the third consecutive year,” said Maggie
Tyner, editor of the 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. “It’s clearly beloved
by both our expert panel and our readers.”
Spanning
158 acres, Meijer Gardens offers a world-class collection of sculpture
and horticulture, featuring works by internationally acclaimed artists
set within stunning natural landscapes. The Sculpture Park and indoor sculpture
galleries present a diverse range of artistic styles and materials, creating
an immersive experience that captivates visitors from around the world.
“Winning
this award for the third year is an extraordinary honor and a testament
to the passion of our guests,” said Charles
Burke, President & CEO of Meijer Gardens. “It highlights the lasting
gift from Fred and Lena Meijer and our 30-year commitment to blending art,
culture, and nature.”
With
this latest accolade, Meijer Gardens continues to cement its status as
a premier cultural destination, attracting art and nature enthusiasts globally.
The organization is committed to excellence, innovation, and fostering
meaningful connections between art, culture, and nature.
Volunteers
Various
jobs and shifts are available. Contact Tony England at aengland@meijergardens.org
or 616-974-5221.
Membership
Members
of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park enjoy unique members-only
events and exhibition openings, valuable discounts, and reciprocal benefits
to more than 300 gardens nationwide. Exclusively for members, Meijer Gardens
is open early the first full weekend of each month on Saturdays from 8
am–9 am and Sundays from 9 am–11 am. Learn more at: MeijerGardens.org/membership.
Online
Ticketing
Expedite
entry and skip the ticketing line by reserving tickets online. Guests can
visit MeijerGardens.org/tickets
to purchase tickets online. When on-site, head directly to the Entry Desk
for easy entry.
About
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the world’s most significant
botanic and sculpture experiences, was named the 2023 and 2024 Best Sculpture
Park in the United States by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice
Awards and listed as the 90th-most-visited art museum in the world and
15th most visited in the country by The Art Newspaper, the leading global
art news publication. Education programs welcome 80,000 students and guests
each year. Culinary Arts & Events offerings include weddings, corporate
meetings and award-winning catering. The 158-acre main campus features
Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory; one of the country’s largest
interactive children’s gardens; arid and Victorian gardens with bronze
sculptures by Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin; a carnivorous plant house;
outdoor gardens, including a replica 1930s-era farm garden; an 8-acre Japanese
garden featuring contemporary sculpture; and a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater
garden, showcasing an eclectic mix of world-renowned touring musicians
each summer. The permanent collection highlights hundreds of sculptures
from internationally acclaimed artists Magdalena Abakanowicz, El Anatsui,
Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Marshall Fredericks,
Henry Moore, Michele Oka Donor, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, Auguste Rodin,
Richard Serra, Yinka Shonibare CBE and Ai Weiwei, among others. Indoor
galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions have presented shows by Jonathan
Borofsky, Edgar Degas, Jim Dine, Richard Hunt, Cristina Iglesias, Rebecca
Louise Law, Pablo Picasso, George Segal and others.
Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding,
and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the
arts.
Media
Contact:
John
VanderHaagen
Director
of Communications
Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
616-975-3180
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