40,000 Daffodils

Every April, an estimated 40,000 daffodils bloom along the H.S. Wagner Daffodil Trail in Furnace Run Metro Park in Richfield. Visitors who have seen the trail in full bloom can attest to the magic that comes from a short hike among the flowers. Here’s how the trail has evolved over time:

HISTORY

The trail is named for Wagner, the first director of the park district, who owned the land off Brush Road and planted the first bulbs along the trail. After he retired in 1958, he sold the property to Summit Metro Parks and the land became part of Furnace Run Metro Park. Since then, park employees have maintained and bolstered the plantings along the trail by adding a few hundred bulbs each fall.

“The opening of the property purchased from Mr. H. S. Wagner, in order to display to the public the thousands of daffodils planted there by Mr. Wagner, was discussed in detail. It was decided to open the area to public viewing this spring and to develop a suitable entrance sign.” -Excerpt from the Summit Metro Parks Board of Trustees minutes, March 1968

GROWTH TIMELINE

Daffodils typically peek through the ground in March. Depending on the season, their growth may be as follows:

Mid-March: The plants sprout up

Early to Mid-April: Blooms develop

Mid-April: Flowers are at peak bloom

IT TAKES ALL KINDS

Botanists estimate that between 40 and 200 daffodil species exist, not including a potential 25,000 combinations of hybrids. Summit Metro Parks records show that, since 1997, nearly 30 different species of daffodils have been planted in Furnace Run, adding 11,224 bulbs.

COME SEE IT

Don’t miss the Daffodil Trail in peak bloom. Park managers estimate it will be between 4/16/15 and 4/22/15. Parking in the gravel lot is limited to about 10 cars, so visitors are encouraged to be patient and go weekdays before 4 p.m. There are three picnic tables and a porta-potty near the start of the trail.