The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens boast one of the world’s premier collections of irises on 6 1/2 acres located within Montclair’s Mountainside Park. Established as a memorial to Frank H. Presby, founder of the American Iris Society and leader of Montclair community affairs; his expressed wish was that this collection be given as public park space so all may enjoy them.
The Gardens are open 365 days of the year as a non-profit community resource.
Volunteers and supporters of the Gardens are at the core of its success, receiving support through grants, local businesses and donations.
Visitors from throughout the region come from far and wide to stroll among the beds of irises, which are classified according to color, size and fragrance. There are over 100 beds planted with these blooms since 1924 – some still bloom beautifully today!
The Gardens are managed by a citizens committee which was organized in 1963 and acquired Walther property in 1977. Since then, many improvements have been made; for instance a sprinkler system has been installed to make taking care of flowers easier, dry creek bed restoration took place with new bridges added along with planting grasses along the creek bed as well as placing several specimen trees as well as Siberian, Louisiana, and Japanese Irises into beds.
Montclair provides the ideal urban-suburban lifestyle, boasting historic homes and beautiful public gardens as well as many attractions that draw in both residents and visitors alike.
Montclair Township boasts some of the highest-rated schools in California and offers something special and memorable to do for visitors from every background. Don’t miss a trip to Montclair Art Museum for an invigorating exhibition or taking in professional small league baseball game – there’s always something exciting and engaging happening here!
Montclair boasts an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants and parks for visitors to enjoy – not to mention panoramic views of Manhattan from many areas – making it the ideal spot for urban escape or family fun alike.
Montclair boasts not only numerous restaurants and cafes, but also two public libraries and several shopping centers. Travelers needing to commute have access to multiple train stations; two hop on bus routes also provide weekly trips into town. To gain more insight into its rich past, the Historical Society houses an impressive collection of artifacts while Montclair Museum showcases this history through stories about residents and settlers; both attractions are family friendly experiences sure to entertain and educate visitors of all ages!
