Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided nature walk through old-growth woodland trails before stopping by the maple sugaring station to learn how the early inhabitants of North America produced maple syrup.

Long-serving garden volunteer Jude Rakowski will demonstrate the processes of harvesting and boiling Red Maple sap to make a foodstuff that was crucial to the survival of the early settlers.

Rakowski is a dedicated steward at Friendship Botanic Gardens who gathers and chops wood the entire year to fuel the fires used to boil the maple sap.

Please note that this event is dependent on weather conditions. Please check Friendship Botanic Gardens on Facebook for information about rescheduling in the week prior to 2/26.

Friendship Botanic Gardens (a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization) is a community treasure and an oasis of formal gardens and wooded nature trails tucked in an old-growth forest surrounding Trail Creek.

It is located at 2055 East US Highway 12, Michigan City, IN 46360