Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch
Photo courtesy of Larry Gleason
Photo courtesy of Larry Gleason
Photo courtesy of Larry Gleason

Dear Visitors,

As the Executive Director of Hopelands Gardens, it is with great joy that I welcome you to our enchanting garden oasis this summer! We invite you to explore our serene landscapes and take a moment to relax and rejuvenate in this tranquil space nestled in the heart of our community.

This summer promises to be a delightful experience for all as we continue our beloved Summer Concert Series every Monday evening at 7 PM. Join us for a lineup of talented musicians, lovely melodies, and an atmosphere filled with joy and camaraderie. Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic, and relish the beauty of our gardens while enjoying these live musical performances.

We are also pleased to announce the return of Michael Cowen as the President of the Friends of Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch for a second term. Michael’s commitment to the preservation and enhancement of our gardens has played a vital role in our ongoing efforts. We appreciate his collaborative spirit and look forward to the continued growth and development of Hopelands Gardens during his leadership.

We wish to share with you all a few of the projects that have been completed under Michael Cowen’s leadership in 2025.  A generous grant was received from the Community Foundation of the CSRA for $100,000, which was used for infrastructure repairs. Also, the chain-link fence at the Dupree Place parking lot was replaced. In addition, historical markers were added to the gardens. Many new projects are currently underway that will continue to improve the gardens and Rye Patch for the benefit of generations to come.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We encourage you to explore, celebrate, and connect with nature and each other in the serene surroundings of Hopelands  Gardens. We cannot wait to see you in the gardens this summer!

Warm regards, 
Laura Momot
Executive Director, Hopelands Gardens

Mission Statement

Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch, Inc., provide advice to the City of Aiken and raise funds for the preservation, improvement, and use of the properties so they can be enjoyed by Aiken’s residents and visitors consistent with the donors’ written wishes that Hopelands be a quiet, peaceful garden of excellence and that Rye Patch serves as a civic center of suitable dignity.

Photo courtesy of Allen Riddick