Fantasy Forest
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The Fantasy Forest at Lelia Arboretum | A Hidden Gem in Battle Creek #MittenTrip

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When you drive through the main gates of Leila Arboretum, it’s like crossing into another world. It’s a world full of wizards and dragons, Bigfoot sightings, and alien abductions. This unexpected and delightful site is known as The Fantasy Forest. It was definitely one of the highlights of our recent trip to Battle Creek!

Fantasy Forest-Battle Creek
Fantasy Forest | photo via amberstark11

About the Fantasy Forest in Battle Creek

The Fantasy Forest is a sculpture park unlike any other. It was once a majestic grove of 100-year-old ash trees, which unfortunately fell victim to the emerald ash borer.

Fantasy Forest-Battle Creek
Fantasy Forest | photo via epperlytim

Rather than simply tearing down the dead trees, the Leila Arboretum Society turned to the community for ideas. A sculpture garden created from the remains was a fitting suggestion; they asked groups of school children what they saw in the trees, leading the way to a fantasy theme.

A Dragon Perched Over The Skulls Of His Unfortunate Victims. Photos By Rhonda And Adam Greene.
A dragon perched over the skulls of his unfortunate victims. Photos by Rhonda and Adam Greene.

And so it was that, during a week-long event in June 2015, over a dozen talented artists descended on the tree trunks with chainsaws and paint and various found objects. When they were done, the landscape was transformed into a fanciful and enchanted place.

The First-Place Prize Winner From The Fantasy Forest 2015 Competition. Photo By Rhonda Greene.
The first-place prize winner from the Fantasy Forest 2015 competition. Photo by Rhonda Greene.

The event was a competition, with the top prize going to a giant swing that makes you feel as though you’re in a fairyland. While swinging is not allowed, guests are welcome to sit for a photo.

Fantasy Forest-Battle Creek
Fantasy Forest | photo via amberstark11

Exploring the Fantasy Forest at Lelia Arboretum in Battle Creek

There are many great photo opportunities in the Fantasy Forest, which makes for some fun memories!

While they ask that you do not touch most of the pieces, there are a couple that are designed specifically for sitting on – or in.

Fantasy Forest-Battle Creek
Fantasy Forest | photo via tllymrksdisappear

Even though the sculptures are very large, there are tiny details everywhere you look. The more time you spend in the Fantasy Forest, the more fun things you notice!

Fantasy Forest-Battle Creek
Fantasy Forest | photo via amberstark11

The Fantasy Forest Expanded

The Fantasy Forest has been such a great success that in 2016, it will be expanded to include more dead trees. The weekend of June 16th through 18th, a selection of artists have been invited to contribute new works to the collection.

The new sculptures will include both the remaining few standing dead trees in the area, as well as large trunks brought in from other locations and “planted” on concrete bases.

Old Macdonald Gets Abducted By Aliens. Photos By Rhonda Greene.
Old MacDonald gets abducted by aliens. Photos by Rhonda Greene.

When the new additions are complete, there will be a total of over 26 sculptures in the Fantasy Forest. All of the pieces, both current and upcoming, are large in scale, giving the place an even more magical vibe.

Fantasy Forest-Battle Creek
Fantasy Forest | photo via amberstark11

We’re already planning to visit again later this year so that we can see the new additions and spend more time exploring the rest of the expansive grounds of Leila Arboretum as well. If you are passing through Battle Creek, this is an attraction that you definitely don’t want to miss!

The Leila Arboretum is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk.

What is your favorite sculpture in The Fantasy Forest? Let us know in the comments!

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