For 20 years, the backyard of Jim and Mary Ann Wilsbacher’s home along the Rivertown Trail in Newburgh has been a spiritual, scenic paradise — a place for lifting prayers, snapping photos, and taking in resplendent Ohio River views.
The couple calls it God’s Garden — “Time began in God’s Garden,” says an engraved stone at the entrance — and passersby can wander the brick path, lounge in the gazebo, and take in the fountain, statues of angels, and many colorful flowers. At peak times of year, “In the spring, we have azalea bushes blooming along with gorgeous creeping phlox. The dogwood trees and weeping crabapple tree put on quite a show. Daylilies, lantana, and a variety of annuals provide colorful blooms in the summer, before the mums pop open in the fall,” Mary Ann says.
The Wilsbachers do much of the maintenance themselves, but family, friends, and neighbors chip in occasionally, as well as Corressell Landscape when professional services are needed. The couple also hires teenagers to help with planting annuals and major pruning each spring.
The Wilsbachers bought their Jennings Street house in 2002; it was built by Jim’s late uncle. However, the lot behind it in the 100 block of West Water Street was owned by Indiana American Water Company, which used it as a storage yard. It eventually was put up for bid, “and I started praying that we would be the successful bidders,” Mary Ann says. “I poured out my heart to God in petition, and His response was that we could have the property, but we had to share it. At that point, we began planning a beautiful garden.”
It doubled as an event venue until 6-7 years ago because of the effort involved; Jim notes that he and Mary Ann are in their late 70s. But the garden still gets substantial foot traffic and is decorated for Christmas and other holidays. “Each season has its own quality,” Jim says. Mary Ann adds that it’s a popular spot for prom photos, and on those evenings, “you can’t stir them with a stick.”
Incidents with vandalism are rare, according to the Wilsbachers, and that has enabled them to continue to provide the riverfront refuge. “We post that it’s a private property, please respect it,” Mary Ann says of God’s Garden. “And most people do.”
