Party place grew like willows around lake

By Terry Evans -Weartherford Telegram Writer

When Larry Young inherited 60 or so acres from his father, once Parker County Sheriff John Young, the most significant aspect of the propery was a lake surrounded by Willow trees.

He began making changes in 2001 by converting a spillway on the lake's southern end to a waterfall. It became one of the most beautiful elements of several striking facets of Willow Lake Gardens.

Working on the waterfall, Young noticed that a nearby tree-shrounded area was the ideal spot for a gazebo. That's when drivers on Mineral Wells Highway took interest. "I was just building a gazebo for family gatherings when someone stopped and asked if they could do a wedding there," Young said. "They offered $200 and said they hadn't been able to find any place else."

Young said $200 would be fine, if the wedding party would cut the weeds down, too.

Word got out, and within two weeks someone else asked to wed in the 26-by-12-foot gazebo. When Young built a 2,400-square-foot dressing room next to the gazebo, requests came more frequently.

Young said he started felling guilty, turning down 60 to 70 weddings a year.

"It became so busy that we built a barn to handle the overflow," he said. "Now, we're booked every weekend from March through June of 2008."

Parker County Sheriff's Posse has its Monday meetings in Th' Barn while the new clubhouse is being built a little ways east of there.

Among the amenities at Th' Barn are great climate control, a big fireplace, lots of parking, good restrooms and a wet bar with refrigerator, two sinks and a stove.

Th' Barn has 3,400 square feet in the main hall and the upstairs room, and a 48-by-16-foot balcony. Rustic decor includes lantern light fixtures and natural wood everywhere, including the tables and chairs to seat 250 people.

Just outside is an 18-by-12-foot covered stage overlooking an 1,800-square-foot dance floor, a huge grill and a smoker capable of handling 24 briskets at once.

In the front yard is a cabin that John Young brought to the property in 1961 from East Josephine Street. Near that is a pagoda. On the other side of the lake is a wrought-iron bridge that leads to an iron gazebo and a scenic-lookout pavilion.

Young said he's looking into building some cabins there, and is seriously considering a couple of 20-foot-diameter teepees.

"We've rented the place for family reunions, and some have camped," he said.

There's no catering on site, but facility renters can bring in caterers, and alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Young's garden supervisor and assistant, Catherine Hill, said one of the coolest features of Willow Lake Gardens and Th' Barn is that facilities are rented for whole days, not just for hours.

The gardens have lots of perennials like magnolias, crape myrtles, Asian jasmine and roses.

"We have a lot of annuals, depending on the season," said Hill, who is a cerified master gardener.

Willow Lake Gardens is about 3.5 miles west of Parker County Courthouse on Mineral Wells Highway just past Greenwood Cutoff Road. Look for the sign and a rock entrance. Th' Barn is the farthest facility back from the highway. Call 817-599-3407 for more information.