Exploring Havasu: Cactus Gardens In Lake Havasu City

By Samantha Zasadil

As fall approaches and the temperatures cool, Lake Havasu City and the surrounding area is the perfect place for long walks and hiking.

There are two cactus gardens in Havasu the provide walkers with both a local natural horticultural experience but also great places to enjoy the out doors.

One of the parks is located within Lake Havasu State Park and the other is on Hagen Way. The Hagen Way park is sponsored by the Messmer and Spezzano families in memory of Jim and Ingrid Spezzano.

RiverScene Magazine interviewed Lake Havasu State Park manager Daniel Roddy and talked about the cactus garden in the park.

RSM: When was the Garden put together?

“It’s been around in one way shape or form for a number of years but really about 10 or 11 years ago led by a very dedicated group of volunteers led by Wray Finks and his wife Hazel. They came onto the scene and started to really invest in the cactus garden.  They’d do things like go into the community and asked people who were remodeling who had plants they weren’t going to keep to donate them.

RODDY: “People like Wray volunteered their time and talents and went out and gathered them and brought them into the park and its really taken on its own aura from there where its really a community-based thing that has grown. It’s really amazing what’s been put together. It’s amazing how you can be standing there and there’s all this traffic on the lake and you’re only minutes away from the busyness of Highway 95.”

RSM: How often do volunteers come?

RODDY: “Some come whenever they can. There’s times of the year when Wray comes three times a week.”

RSM: How many types of cactus are in the garden.

RODDY: “Dozens”

RSM: How much does it cost to visit the park.?

RODDY: “If you’re coming in to hike, it’s $3 per person. If it’s a car, $15-$20. Mon-Thurs is $15 a day and Fri-Sun is $20. Season passes are available too. Kids 13-under are free with paid adult.

For more information on visiting the State Park, Click Here

Cactus Garden at Lake Havasu State Park

Cactus Park on Hagen Way