Plan Your Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Grounds
Things to Discover
Admission & Hours
Garden & Grounds Hours
Open Daily, 9am to 5pm
Bee Room, Geodesic Biodome, and Log House close at 4:30pm
No admission fee to tour the garden and grounds.
Explore the Grounds with the interactive map below.
Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop Hours
Monday ~ Saturday, 9am to 5pm; Closed on Sundays
*The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop will be open from 9am to 1pm on Tuesday, September 1, and will close for the afternoon due to a staff meeting.
Office Staff Hours
Monday ~ Friday, 9am to 5pm
Holiday Hours
Closed Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
*Curiosity Shop may be closed additional days. CLICK HERE for details.
Photography
Photographs captured “in-the-moment” are some of our favorites and are always encouraged. A permit/reservation is required for all Life Event, Portrait, or Session photography. This is a requirement even if your photographer is NOT a professional. CLICK HERE for the full details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Need more help? Give us a call at 419-874-4174, or email hello@577foundation.org
Directions
577 is located at 577 E Front St, Perrysburg, OH 43551, in the historic district of downtown Perrysburg. The entrance to the property is located at the intersection of East Front Street, East Boundary Street, and East River Road.
Direction from North via Interstate 475 South ~ Sylvania, OH; Toledo, OH; Ottawa Lake, MI: Take I-475 south to Perrysburg. Follow I-475 S to US-24 E/Anthony Wayne Trail in Maumee. Take exit 4A-B from I-475 S. Continue on US-24 E/Anthony Wayne Trail. Take US-20 E to E Front St in Perrysburg. Look for a white picket fence on the left with a navy sign with the white numbers “577” and a white honeybee on the gate.
Directions from South via Interstate 475 North ~ Bowling Green, OH; Findlay, OH: Take I-75 N to Perrysburg. Follow I-75 N to US-20 W/US-23 N/Fremont Pike in Perrysburg Township. Take exit 193 for US-20/US-23 toward Fremont/Perrysburg. Turn left onto US-20 W/US-23 N/Fremont Pike. Turn right onto E Boundary St. Look for a white picket fence and a navy sign with the white numbers “577” and a white honeybee.
Parking
Parking is available in the Courtyard Parking Lot and Virginia’s House Parking Lot. Parking is limited; when possible, please carpool.
Signed up for a class or attending a meeting? CLICK HERE to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Grounds
Things to Discover
What is 577?
“The 577 Foundation is a work of art being molded by the community.”
— Virginia Secor Stranahan
Spaces of Wonder and Discovery for Children
StoryWalk®
Nature Playscape
River Walk Trail
Did's Dig
StoryWalk®
StoryWalk® is a year-round trail around the circumference of the 577 grounds. There are 20 signposts along the trail, each featuring pages of a picture book. Stories rotate monthly and are carefully selected to feature award-winning authors and illustrators that celebrate the best of 577: nature, science, kindness, generosity, inclusivity, and belonging.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
The StoryWalk® at 577 was made possible through the generous support of the Black Swamp Conservancy, the estate of Mary Anne Tigges, and the Perrysburg Rotary Foundation and Rotarian volunteers, who funded and helped install the original trail and signage. In 2024, 577 received a grant from the Walleye Wishing Well Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation to support the purchase of new books, updated signage, and continued care of this beloved program, helping ensure it remains fresh, engaging, and well-maintained for years to come.
Current Storybook® Book:
577’s current StoryWalk® book is Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray, illustrated by Kenard Pak.
Filled with lyrical rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this colorful story explores the important connections between flowers and the pollinators that depend on them. As flowers call out to the animals of the forest, readers discover who stops to sip their nectar and the important role pollinators play in nature’s cycle.
As you stroll the grounds, follow along and keep an eye out for pollinators along the way. Look for bees, butterflies, and other insects visiting the flowers at 577, and see some of the connections from the story happening right here in the gardens.
Storytime at 577
Enjoy Storytime at 577 every Wednesday morning this summer. Each session features special books from the library or our collection, many of which have appeared along the StoryWalk®, along with songs, movement, and adventures around the grounds and gardens.
Storytime takes place on the Outdoor Stage at 10am and 11am. Rain locations will be announced as needed.
Storytime is free and open to all, with no preregistration required. It is best suited for children ages 2 to 6, though siblings of all ages are welcome. Each session is limited to 20 children, so we encourage families to arrive on time to help ensure space for everyone.
Special Weather Note for Wednesday, August 19: If weather keeps Storytime indoors, the story will take place in the Log House, followed by the activity in the Green Door Studio. Indoor sessions will be limited to the first 15 children at both 10am and 11am.
A Look Ahead: Fall Storytime at 577
Storytime continues this fall! Gather with Miss Jane, 577 friends, and occasional guest readers for favorite stories, songs, movement, and playful activities.
Fall Storytime is free and open to all, with no preregistration required. It is best suited for ages 2 to 6, though siblings of all ages are welcome. Each date will feature one session at 10am, held on the Outdoor Stage or in Virginia’s House depending on the weather.
Fall Storytime Dates
- Monday, September 14 at 10am
- Monday, October 26 at 10am
Children’s Nature Playscape
“A space that fosters a naturally occurring educational process within the ever-curious child” – no better words described the child-like Virginia Stranahan.
The interactive children’s garden and nature playscape was designed in 2002 to honor Virginia and has been added to over the years in the spirit of the international “play naturally” and “nature play” movements.
Children’s unstructured play in nature benefits their physical, emotional, and intellectual development and installs a love of the environment.
River Walk Trail
Explore a grassy trail that winds through an apple, peach, and pear orchard to a hill top view of the Maumee River. It then descends through the flood plains (careful, it gets muddy after the rain) and brings you to the river’s edge and a view of a wilderness island.
Kids (and kids at heart) can use their eyes, ears, nose, and more to sense what’s happening around them with sensory signs along the trail.
What will you discover along the way?
Did’s Dig
During the Devonian period, a shallow sea covered Northwest Ohio. Discover fossilized remains of creatures from the 375-million-year-old past in the silica shale rock pile. In your search, you might find fossils of clams, sea lilies, corals, trilobites, and bony fishes, including sharks, to take home.
Seasonal Update: Did’s Dig is OPEN!
Please note the Dig may close due to rain or inclement weather. Additional updates in June may also temporarily close the area. Thanks for your understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Grounds
Things to Discover
Explore the Grounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Grounds
Things to Discover
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Open Daily for Visitors
Historic Buildings: Geodesic Biodome, Log Cabin, Bee Room until 4:30pm
Grounds: Community Gardens, StoryWalk, Bird Blind, Children’s Garden; Outdoor Stage, Riverwalk until 5pm
Seasonal: Did’s Fossil Dig and the picnic areas are open seasonally
Pets are Welcome
Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control.
Always clean up after your pet. Please carry a waste bag with you at all times.
Food & Drink is Permitted
Leave No Trace: Help us keep the grounds looking beautiful, safe, and enjoyable for everyone including the wildlife by following the Leave No Trace principles.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out what you pack in. Keep our outdoor spaces clean and don’t leave behind any trash, food, or pet waste.
Leave What You Find: Leave rocks, plants, and other objects as you find them for the next person to enjoy.
Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow, approach, or feed wild animals.
Classes & Special Events
Class Location and Parking: Each class description lists its location at 577. Click HERE to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Special Events: To learn more about special events, including details on our Music in the Gardens, click HERE.
How to Register for a Class:
Online: Classes are categorized into different disciplines on our Classes & Events page. When you find your desired class, click the REGISTER button which will direct you to our RecDesk registration system. Follow the prompts to complete the registration. If you are new to the system, you will need to create a Profile/Household before registering for a class. Registration is complete when payment has been accepted and you receive a confirmation email. Check your spam/junk mailbox if it does not appear in your inbox.
In-Person: Welcome Center ~ Click here for hours
By phone: 419-874-4174
Class Waitlists: Waitlists are available for most classes. If a spot opens, the waitlist will receive notification via email that a spot has opened and it is then first-come, first-served.
Class Cancellations & Refunds: Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies. Click HERE to read the full policy.
Field Trips & Group Tours
Self-Guided Field Trips & Group Tours: Small groups are welcome to explore 577 during regular hours. If you are planning a visit with a group of 8 or more people, including schools, organizations, clubs, or other groups, please contact us in advance so we can add your visit to our calendar. This helps us prepare for your group and coordinate your visit with classes, programs, rentals, and other activities happening on the grounds. To schedule your group visit, please call 419-874-4174 or email hello@577foundation.org.
Guided Field Trips & Group Tours: Now available! CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Facility Reservations
The Cottage and Virginia’s House are available to community organizations, schools, governmental organizations, and community-minded corporations for strategic planning, trainings, and retreats. CLICK HERE to learn more and book your date.
Please note: Our mission is to build a creative, caring community through curiosity and lifelong learning. Because these spaces are shared for educational and community benefit, they are not available to be used for personal social gatherings like parties or showers.
Photography at 577
In-The-Moment/Casual Photography: Visitors are welcome to take casual photos and videos during their visit to 577. This includes spontaneous photos of the gardens, grounds, plants, friends, and family. No permit is required for casual photography.
Portrait & Photography Sessions: If photography is the primary purpose of your visit, a permit or reservation is required. This includes family, engagement, proposal, maternity, graduation, senior, prom, wedding, portfolio, and other posed portrait photography. A permit is required whether your photographer is a professional, amateur, friend, or family member, and whether or not they are being paid.
Complimentary one-hour daytime outdoor photography sessions are available for many types of personal photography as part of 577’s Picture-Perfect Photography initiative. Fees and advance reservations may apply for certain sessions, including Golden Hour, mini sessions, weddings, larger groups, and other special photography.
CLICK HERE to view photography guidelines, session options, and reservation information.
Photography fees help support the care and beautification of 577’s gardens and grounds.
Book & Art Supply Donations
Donations are accepted during Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop open hours. We accept drop-in donations of up to two (2) boxes or bags of gently used and like-new books (approximately 20 to 30 books) and art supplies without an appointment. If you have more than two boxes, please give us a call at 419-874-4714 or email hello@577foundation.org.
Click HERE for a full list of items we are currently accepting.
Get Involved
Learn more about volunteering at 577 by clicking HERE.
Inclement Weather
If Wood and/or Lucas County issues a snow emergency, please follow these guidelines:
Level One: 577 is open as normal. Classes, meetings, and events will continue as planned.
Level Two: If a Level Two weather emergency is issued for Wood or Lucas County, 577 may close the grounds and cancel classes, meetings, and events until the weather emergency warnings are lifted or reduced to Level One.
Level Three: 577 will be closed until the weather emergency level is reduced to a Level Two or lower. All events, meetings, and classes are cancelled.
Please Note: We may have to close/cancel in real-time upon changing weather forecasts. If this occurs or we need to close/cancel for any reason, an update will be posted on social media, and we will contact all participants about the status of their class. If Lucas or Wood County is under a Level One or no snow emergency, but surrounding counties are Level Two and above, students should contact us if they cannot make it to class safely and may request a refund or credit.
Health & Wellness
577 is committed to providing a welcoming, healthy, and comfortable environment for our visitors, class participants, instructors, volunteers, and staff.
We encourage everyone to be mindful of their own health and the well-being of others when visiting 577. If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness, please consider visiting us another day.
If you are registered for an upcoming class and are unable to attend due to illness, please contact us at 419-874-4174 as soon as possible to discuss your registration.
Thank you for helping us care for one another and our community.
Accessibility
Classes & Events: 577 is committed to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences for all class participants. If you have accessibility needs or require reasonable accommodations to fully participate, we encourage you to contact us before your class so we can work with you to provide appropriate support whenever possible.
Gardens & Grounds: 577’s gardens and grounds include a variety of surfaces and terrain. Areas surrounding the parking lots and buildings include a mixture of concrete, crushed stone, and mulch pathways. Areas closer to the Maumee River are protected by a conservation easement and are predominantly mowed grass. Accessibility throughout the grounds may vary depending on weather conditions, particularly following periods of rain.
Historic Buildings: The Geodesic Biodome, Bee Room, and Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop have accessible entrances. Virginia’s House has a large step at the front entrance; however, accessible entrances are available at the back of the house and can be reached by following the path around the building. Due to their historic nature, the Cottage and Log House have steps at their entrances and are not currently wheelchair accessible.