Where can you see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Roman Coliseum, Bethlehem, the Himeji Castle of Japan, and the village of Nottingham all in one afternoon? The Rock Garden. It is a collection of spectacular structures, winding paths, and unique plants located outside Rome, Georgia, on Highway 53, behind the Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church.
My husband and I drove out to The Rock Garden one weekday evening, and when we arrived, we were in awe of its beauty and large size. We had arranged to go out there and meet Old Dog, who gave us a tour and told us how The Rock Garden came to be.
In 2007 Old Dog had the idea to create a place of serenity on a piece of the 53 acres behind the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He pitched his idea to the church and was allowed to create what is today The Rock Garden. Many people have worked on the structures throughout the years. Old Dog even met the love of his life there, Lady Joyce. She has worked on many designs and has had a considerable influence on The Rock Garden. After several years of working on The Rock Garden and becoming best friends, the two married there.
The Rock Garden is a ministry that people have put their hearts into. Old Dog believes that you should use what God has blessed you with. The church has been blessed with a generous amount of beautiful property. Old Dog has been blessed with his artistic talent. He makes all the clay people in the garden, and you will see his talent displayed throughout the garden. Keep your eyes open and look for the very well-hidden dragon that lives in the garden.
The Rock Garden has provided a peaceful place where people can come and meet with God. The Rock Garden has had many hands involved in creating it. Old Dog’s children have helped along the way. His daughter built the bridge that overlooks the water. She loved watching the fish in the stream, so she created a walkway that allows you to get closer to the water. It is such a tranquil place.
My favorite area is the town of Bethlehem. It is stunning. There is even a nativity scene that you can see through the window.
While walking through The Rock Garden, I was worried about bumping up against the structures. My husband and I are what he calls “a bull in a china shop.” We are a bit clumsy. Old Dog demonstrated the strength of the structures and assured us that they were sturdy. He even said that children could climb on and around some structures.
The Rock Garden has impressive structures, and the plant life surrounding the designs is just as enjoyable. Some of the plants pointed out to us were the shagbark hickory tree, burning bush, antique chrysanthemums, and panicle hydrangea. These are just a few of the plants you will see. I am always fascinated by people’s ability to grow plants because I am not very good with plants.
The Rock Garden is a beautiful place to have a wedding. There is a gazebo for people to hold a ceremony or rest and take in the beauty. When couples get married at The Rock Garden, they get a unique stone on the wall in honor of their special day. This is Old Dog and Lady Joyce’s special stone.
While you are there, make sure to look down at the paths. They have designs on them. Some even have scriptures or sayings lining the paths. The paths are uneven, but there are poles to hold onto to help you steady yourself.
Old Dog says that the Himeji Castel of Japan is one of his favorite structures. Although each structure holds a special place in his heart, and they are all his favorites, he particularly enjoys this one.
This beautiful place is for everyone to enjoy. It has been created and maintained by volunteers. One year a tree fell, causing damage to one of the castles. Within a short time, volunteers arrived to clean up the tree and restore what was destroyed. The Rock Garden has created a fantastic sense of community. There have been stones brought to The Rock Garden from around the world. The ones I recall are a stone from a church in Turkey and a stone from the beach of Normandy.
Every year on the first Sunday in October, the gardens are lit. This year’s lighting may be the last due to the cost. There is no cost to enter and view the garden, but there is a donation box. The people who have put their time and energy into it do so because they are passionate about the garden and what it represents, not making a profit. Although they do not ask for donations, they are vital to the operation and upkeep of the park.
The Rock Garden has plans to continue to grow and expand. There are plans for a picnic area and restrooms soon. A walking path is being built that will take you on a scenic journey around the property. The possibilities are limitless, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for The Rock Garden. While there, we took so many pictures that it was hard to choose which ones to use in this post. I encourage you to visit The Rock Garden for yourself to experience it and all its beauty.
For more places to visit in Northwest Georgia, read Towns Near Rome You Should Visit.
