Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury's not-so-secret garden of whimsy

SHREWSBURY - There is no website and no phone number, but type "2 Stoney Hill Road, Shrewsbury" into your GPS and you'll get there. Seemingly hidden in the woods just off Route 20 near Hebert's Candy Mansion is a secret garden full of whimsy, art and inspirational messages.

The "secret garden" wasn't so much created but cultivated by local resident Robert "Chief Joseph" Terkanian, whose property abuts the trail . Statues, inspiring quotes, the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex and a totem pole are just some of the pieces of recycled artwork along the .4 mile trail.

Apart from the sights are the sounds. Listen carefully and you'll be sure to hear the rustling of a wind chime or the sound of shoes crunching along the glass-covered forest floor.

"Wow, look at all the glass on the ground," Michelle Thibeault of Upton exclaimed. "It's just so magical."

It was Thibeault's first time walking these paths. Joining her was her daughter, Jocelyn Thibeault, and friend of 40 years, Sheila Magee. Magee is visiting from San Antonio to celebrate both her and Michelle's birthdays, a tradition the pair have been doing for decades.

"We've got nothing like this in Texas," Magee said. "I just want to take it home with me, like a real-life fairy garden."

Magee began to gush about all the little faces hidden among the gardens, while Jocelyn interrupted, promising the best is yet to come.

"We haven't even gotten to the totem pole yet," she said. "That's my favorite part, it's just so big and I think about all the work that went into carving it."

As the three women made their way toward the totem pole, a group of youngsters ran by before climbing onto the base of a large bear sculpture. The sounds of delight can be heard throughout the trees, as visitors muse about the magical vibe and spot hidden creatures in the forest's underbelly.

Terkanian, known to locals as "Chief Joseph," is no stranger to beautifying Shrewsbury . The art lover has spent tens of thousands embellishing parts of the town with various sculptures. The retiree can often be seen in and around his yard, watering plants and waving to visitors.

"I met him once," Jocelyn said. "I looked up and there he was, wearing a bright shirt, his long white hair tied back in a ponytail. He looked at me and said 'Welcome! Have you been here before?' That's part of the charm, it's just so welcoming, clean, and everyone respects this place."

Laurence Holyoak is the program director of International Animal Rescue and often brings her boys to the garden.

"I came across the secret garden through the geocache app," she said. "My boys loved finding the geocache. It's like treasure hunting and this 'micro' was found in a tree."

The family from Berlin is always looking for fun activities in the area and Holyoak creates content for a local website for families "looking for something to do this weekend."

"There is so much to explore, and I love seeing the world through the eyes of my children. I would tell someone visiting the first time to bring a little picnic and plan to stay a while. It is not a long or strenuous hike, so it is great for kids. There is a table and chairs in the clearing, which makes it a perfect place to have a picnic."

Lisa Grosskopf sits on the Shrewsbury Trails Committee and said it's one of the most popular trails in the community.

"It's so wonderful that 'Chief Joseph' doesn't mind total strangers on his property, it's truly a magical place." She added that a colleague once saw a group of teenage girls all wearing fairy wings while walking the path.

Laura Urbec of Holden is a real estate agent and agrees that the garden is a wonderful draw for families in the area.

"With things as expensive as they are these days, families are always looking for fun things to do with their kids that are affordable or even free," she said. "The secret garden is great for not only families but anyone looking for a quiet place to escape from the stresses of everyday life and feel a little bit of magic. The owner is an amazing person for sharing his creation."

Urbec explained she often shares unique places like this with people looking to move to Central Mass. She's been visiting the garden for the last three years or so, and always spots something new during each visit.

The garden draws hundreds of visitors a month, making Shrewsbury's "secret garden" not so much of a secret destination after-all.

Thanks to Katie S. for her recommendation of Shrewsbury's secret garden for this week's Worcester County Wonders.

T&G engagement editor Sarah Barnacle is getting to know Central Mass. by exploring some of the best places to go and things to do in Worcester County. If you have an idea or suggestion, please email sbarnacle@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury's not-so-secret garden of whimsy