A Forest Like No Other
Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens features 54 acres of woodlands, ponds, apple orchard, meadows, and stream. Guests of all ages and abilities are immersed in the forest on the nation's longest canopy walk, 1,400 feet long, soaring up to 40 feet above the ground. Other features include a playground, apple orchard, Cafe, and two pedestrian bridges.
2,720 tons
Amount of steel used to construct Canopy Walk
1.5 miles
Amount of ADA Accessible hard-surface pathways within the forest
139 tons
Steel used to fabricate the St. Andrews Bridge,
connecting the property to the Rose Garden
connecting the property to the Rose Garden
2,614 bolts
Used on the Visitor Center bridge, connecting the Forest to the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Longest in the Nation
Designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities and open in every season. Canopy Walk has three arms, each end at a unique viewing platform, including views of a forest pond from 25 feet up, a large cargo net in a grove of spruce trees at 25 feet high, and an orchard view which includes a viewing platform with a glass floor and railings at 40 feet high.
CANOPY WALK
PLAYGROUND
EDUCATION CENTER
CAFÉ AND PATIO
FOREST TRAILS AND
SNAKE CREEK
BRIDGES AND ORCHARD
Property History
The first piece of Whiting Forest property was acquired in 1905 by Herbert H. Dow, the founder of the Dow Chemical Company, and his wife Grace. In 1949, the property passed to H.H. Dow’s granddaughter Helen Dow Whiting, and her husband Macauley. The Whitings took great care to create a beautiful home for their six children. Now owned by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, it opened to the public in 2004, with a grand re-opening in October 2018.
1905
The first piece of the Whiting Forest property was acquired by Herbert H. Dow, the founder of the Dow Chemical Company, and his wife Grace. Herbert indulged in his favorite hobby by planting an extensive apple orchard and digging two ponds for irrigation, which remain beautiful features in the forest. Herbert and Grace had seven children. Their oldest son, Willard, eventually became the second president of the Dow Chemical Company.
1939
Ownership passed to Willard Dow. Upon his death, the property passed to his daughter Helen Dow Whiting, and her husband Macauley. The Whitings took great care to create a beautiful home for their six children and continued the apple orchard. When the Whitings retired to Sun Valley, Idaho, they donated the property to the city of Midland. Now owned by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, it was opened to the public in 2004.
2018
Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens welcomes the public to explore the longest canopy walk in the nation and 54 acres of woodlands, ponds, apple orchard, meadows, stream, and playground.
Whiting Forest is a signature gift of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.