Courtyard Complex
The Greenhouse and a group of buildings surrounding the brick courtyard near Linden Road were originally built as the service area for Mr. King’s Kingwood Estate. After opening to the public, they were adapted to host Kingwood Center Gardens public activities. Today, with many recent improvements, the buildings are known as the Display Greenhouse, Carriage House, and Roost Hall. They all share the bricked and shaded courtyard, a favorite venue for indoor/outdoor events.
Duck Pond
The Duck Pond at the north end of the Terrace Garden has been a beloved Kingwood feature since 1953 and was original to the estate when Charles Kelley King purchased the property in 1912. In 2022, the pond underwent a restoration to repair leaks, improve water quality with natural and mechanical filtration, and adjust the depth to support aquatic plants. New plantings and landscaping help the pond blend seamlessly into the garden while maintaining its historic shape and charm.
Nature Pond
Don’t miss the beautiful Nature Pond and its peaceful cascading stream. Expanded as part of the Garden Gateway project, the Nature Pond also features native perennial plants in a variety of colors with bloom times staggered from early summer all the way through the first frost. This is a favorite area for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
Peacock Playhouse: Children’s Play Area
The Peacock Playhouse invites children and families to connect with nature through hands-on, sensory-friendly experiences. Curl up with a book, get creative with hands-on activities, enjoy playful games, or simply relax and take in the view of birds and garden scenery through the large picture windows.
This self-guided space encourages curiosity and exploration, with staff stopping in periodically throughout the day.
Back in Mr. King’s day, this spot was the Gate House, complete with a chauffeur’s office and garage. Now, it’s a lively place for kids and families to explore, imagine, and discover.
The Shelby Foundation generously funded the 2022 Peacock Playhouse Impact Project and partnered with Kingwood to support the 2025 floor restoration project.
Peacock Playhouse is open January through November.
Storybook Trail
Located near the Peacock Playhouse, this literacy adventure can be enjoyed by all ages! Take a stroll through a woodland path while discovering a children’s picture book, page by page, that changes with each season.
Many thanks to our project partner, Mansfield-Richland County Public Library, and to the Keyser Library Fund and the George and Barbara Keyser D A Fund of Richland County Foundation who funded the establishment of the Storybook Trail.
The 2022 Peacock Playhouse Impact Project and Porous Pave Project added many enhancements to the indoor and outdoor play spaces and accessibility on the Storybook Trail. These projects were generously funded by The Shelby Foundation.