Oz Sculpture Garden

Free Outdoor Exhibit

Take a trip down the Yellow Brick Road in Holland, Michigan!   The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of the best-known stories in American literature. Author L. Frank Baum spent summers vacationing at Macatawa Park on the shores of Lake Michigan in Holland, Michigan. It was here that inspired Baum to write this classic story. Celebrate the book and its characters with a free outdoor exhibit located next to Downtown Holland. Bronze sculptures, a living floral mosaic, the yellow-brick road, and whimsical horticulture honors Baum. In Centennial Park, thousands of annual plants will be used to create a 10’ X 12’ “open book” cover of this classic novel.  The iconic yellow brick road will lead you to Herrick District Library where it continues through landscaped areas of colorful annuals and perennials. Six life-sized bronze sculptures from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz will be placed along the yellow brick road, allowing visitors to interact with them. Not only will children find this exhibit enchanting, but kids of all ages will enjoy seeing these beloved characters in Holland!

In 1899, L. Frank Baum, author of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, vacationed in Macatawa on the shores of Lake Michigan, just minutes from downtown Holland. It is suggested by Baum’s great grandson that parts of this classic tale were most likely written or worked on while staying at his family’s cottage, The Sign of the Goose.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published on May 17, 1900.

The story begins in a magical place called Oz, with the living mosaic book located 250 Central Avenue in Centennial Park. Annual plants grow on a steel 10’ X 12’ base to create a mosaic depicting the cover of the book. During the winter, the book will be placed in the City’s greenhouse and returned to the park in the spring. The iconic Yellow Brick Road leads you from Centennial Park to Herrick District Library where it continues through landscaped areas of colorful annuals and perennials. Seven life-sized bronze sculptures of Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, a Munchkin, the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, a Fighting Tree with Flying Monkey perched on a branch, and the Wicked Witch are on permanent exhibit allowing visitors to interact with them.

This permanent exhibit is free and open to the public year-round. Best viewing of the exhibit is during the summer season when the living book is on display.

The Oz Project is a community project in collaboration with the Holland Area Visitors Bureau, Holland in Bloom, the Herrick District Library, and the City of Holland.  

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written solely to pleasure the children of to-day. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and heart-aches and nightmares are left out.” 
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
L. Frank Baum, 1900

Lion Drawing

LOCATION:
Herrick District Library
300 South River Avenue
Holland, MI 49423

Centennial Park
250 Central Avenue
Holland, MI 49423