GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park president & CEO Charles Burke will greet the 16-millionth visitor in the park's history when he or she stops by Tuesday.
That person will receive a special gift basket to mark the milestone moment. Meijer Gardens officials predict that will be around 10 a.m.
The park first opened in 1995 in Grand Rapids Township.
Here are more details from a Meijer Gardens news release:
Since opening its doors in 1995, Meijer Gardens has enchanted visitors from around the world with its extraordinary blend of art, culture, and nature, fostering deeper connections to horticulture and nature. Over the past year, attendance has been bolstered by dynamic programming and unique experiences, including the blooming of Grand Valley State University’s corpse flower on-site, the inaugural ENLIGHTEN winter light experience, and the acclaimed David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture exhibition. The organization also celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.
This milestone underscores Meijer Gardens’ continued role as a premier cultural destination and a source of inspiration in West Michigan and beyond. As Meijer Gardens prepares to welcome its 16 millionth guest, it celebrates three decades of shared moments, community engagement, and lasting impact.
Meijer Gardens’ growing popularity has also been recognized on the global stage: it consistently ranks in the 100-most-visited museums in the world and 15-most-visited museums in the United States, and it has been named the Best Sculpture Park in the United States in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. These honors highlight Meijer Gardens’ commitment to providing an exceptional and memorable experience for every guest.
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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 Best Sculpture Park in the United States in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and is regularly listed in the 100-most-visited museums in the world and 15-most-visited museums in the United States by The Art Newspaper, the leading global art news publication. 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, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, Auguste Rodin, Richard Serra, Yinka Shonibare CBE, and Ai Weiwei, among others. Indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions have presented numerous solo shows, including artists Jonathan Borofsky, Edgar Degas, Jim Dine, Richard Hunt, Cristina Iglesias, Michele Oka Donor, George Segal, David Smith, and others. 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. Learning Engagement programs welcome 80,000 students and guests each year. Culinary Arts & Events offerings include weddings, corporate meetings, and award-winning catering.
In Lena Meijer Children's Garden.Photo: Photo by Kevin Beswick