Windmill Island Gardens

08/13/2026

Learn to can and preserve the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labor from your garden with us next week during De Tuin Klas - Patch to Pantry! On Thursday, August 20 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm, Michigan State University Extension Food Safety Educator, Erica Reister, will be here to cover the basics of learning when is the right time to can, what equipment to use, and how to safely preserve foods. Every participant will leave with research-tested recipes, knowledge, and even a mason jar to get started! 🍅

Class fees are $15 per person, and space is limited! Sign up now here! https://shorturl.at/8gMPr

08/12/2026

On Sunday, September 13 from 1pm - 5pm, stop by Windmill Island Gardens for a unique opportunity to see designer and expert of Wind Design, Merel Karhof, demonstrating her The Wind Knitting Factory! Karhof is currently on tour in the United States traveling to historic windmills, museums, and cultural institutions. She will be leading demonstrations of how her wind-powered knitting machine knits scarves in the colors of various landscapes. The tour is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United States and Dutch Culture USA.

Connecting shared history of the Netherlands and the United States through windmills, Karhof is excited to share this machine. The Wind Knitting Factory’s blades span 3ft in diameter where it catches wind to turn the blades and knits beautifully crafted scarves!

Karhof will be set up near De Zwaan windmill demonstrating The Wind Knitting Factory from 1pm - 5pm on Sunday, September 13. Regular park admission is required for entry with Holland residents entering free with proof of residency.

Photos courtesy of Eva Rutsen.

08/11/2026

Every few years, our windmill gets a visit and inspection from a Dutch millwright from Verbij Bouw- en Molenmakersbedrijf BV. Our millwright will be here this Wednesday through Friday. While the park & mill will be open for visitors, some parts of the mill may be closed for safety reasons at times over the next few days. We appreciate your understanding as we seek to keep de Zwaan in great working order!

08/10/2026

EDIT: This class is now SOLD OUT!

There are just a few more openings for tomorrow's Make & Takes - Floral Stamped Cards on Tuesday, August 11 from 6pm - 7pm! Join us to create your own custom greeting card set using florals and greens from right here at Windmill Island Gardens!🌸🔨

Space is limited. Sign up here! https://shorturl.at/Zx2Ss

08/09/2026

Join us on Monday, August 10 at 10am for the LAST Books & Blooms of the summer! Enjoy a story time lead by our friends from the Herrick District Library followed by an activity hosted by Explore Hope! Make 'seed bombs' that the birds, pollinators, and more at home will love!

Books & Blooms are FREE for all to attend! Just mention the event at the admission booth.

08/04/2026

It's Summerific Week! August 2 - 8 is the perfect time to stop by Windmill Island Gardens to see Proven Winners Summerific Hibiscus at their peak bloom all throughout the park, graciously donated to us by our friends at Walters Gardens!🌸

07/29/2026

Attention all dog lovers... and hot dog lovers! This just in, the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be BACK at Bark in the Park this August! And if you just can't get enough hot dog, Slingin' Weenies will be here too to grab a delicious lunch for a full dog-themed day! 🌭

Grab your four-legged friends and head to Windmill Island Gardens on Saturday, August 22 from 9:30am - 1:00pm where you and your pup can enjoy games, giveaways, and SO much more! Watch trick dogs show off their skills LIVE with Zeke the WonderDog, get a free professional pet portrait, a caricature of your pup, and find all the best places in town for your dog! No dog? No problem! There will be pets available for adoption here, too! 🐶

Bark in the Park 2026 is proudly sponsored by Paws In The City! Join us in thanking them for their continued support!🐾

07/27/2026

Due to today’s drizzly weather, Books & Blooms will take place inside our white Celebration Pavilion in the park. You can still enjoy a story time with the Herrick District Library and then an activity with Aqua-Tots Swim School! And then, be sure to grab a delicious lunch from Inspired Eats or Kosherfalafeltruck for the LAST day of the Food Truck Mondays series!

07/25/2026

Books & Blooms continues this Monday, July 27 with an interactive story time by the Herrick District Library starting at 10am, followed by a fun activity hosted by our friends from Aqua-Tots Swim School Holland! Scoop and splash with a fun water activity, and create your own Under the Sea themed bookmarks to take home too!📚💦

This Monday, July 27 is the LAST day of ourFood Truck Mondays series! Find delicious food from Inspired Eats and Kosherfalafeltruck from 11am - 2pm, perfect time for your lunch break! Eat your food here, or take it to go to make Monday lunch plans easy!🍴

07/23/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of a beloved family member of our friends at Veldheer Tulip Garden. Our support goes out to their family during this time.🌷

According to his obituary, Veldheer started the local farm after returning from World War II.