By: Sarah Stone
Forsyth Park in Savannah’s historic district is one of the city’s most beloved locales. While its centerpiece fountain draws the most visitors, the gorgeous 30-acre park has tons of fascinating spots to check out – here are just a few I love!
The Fragrant Garden’s Creation and Revival
Plaque at Forsyth Park – photo by Sarah Stone
It’s so easy to walk right past the Fragrant Garden on your way to the fountain, but this little corner deserves some love.
Designed in the ’50s specifically to help visually impaired visitors navigate and enjoy their time at the park, this garden invites you to touch and smell the different plants for a deeper sensory experience. The secluded spot – walled in along three sides to contain the scents of the flowers and leaves – unfortunately became a known spot for drug use over the next several decades, prompting the city to permanently lock the gate to the garden. The plants languished, and the garden almost disappeared entirely until a revival at the turn of the century, when it was cleaned up and restored to its former glory.
Today, you’ll find herbs like rosemary and lavender alongside plants with completely different textures under your fingertips. Local garden clubs fought to save this space when city funding got tight, and now volunteers maintain the entire garden.
The Fountain’s Photogenic Quirk
The fountain at Forsyth Park – photo by Sarah Stone
If you recognize one thing in Forsyth Park, it’s the stunning fountain – a crown jewel and the reason many tourists stop here. But before taking a quick picture, take another look because you might be photographing it backwards!
The fountain faces north and is designed to be viewed looking southward toward the park’s main entrance. But most people approach from the south and end up shooting the fountain’s back side.
The placement of the fountain serves as a reward system that encourages you to walk through the entire park before capturing the perfect shot.
Another fun fact? That gorgeous fountain has been running on its original 1858 pump system since its installation.
The Trees Tell Weather Stories
Moss on trees at Forsyth Park – photo by Sarah Stone
Pay attention to the mix of tree species as you walk around. The combination tells the story of Savannah’s battles with hurricanes and storms over the decades.
Many of the massive live oaks survived Hurricane David in 1979, but you’ll notice younger trees interspersed throughout. These mark spots where storms took down centuries-old giants, as well as other trees like sycamores, mulberries, laurels, and more – new trees get planted throughout the park occasionally as well, with diverse species that can withstand different types of weather emergencies.
The Spanish moss that drips from those branches also serves as a natural weather indicator. Healthy trees support moderate moss growth, while heavy moss loads often signal that trees are stressed or damaged.
Saturday’s Market Runs on Community Economics
Artists by the Farmers Market at Forsyth Park – photo by Sarah Stone
The Saturday Farmers Market operates on a model that prioritizes local vendors and sustainable farming over pure profit. Vendors must grow or produce their goods within a specific radius of Savannah, supporting regional agriculture while minimizing the environmental impact of transportation.
The market reserves 60% of spots for farm product vendors and 40% for prepared food vendors and does not accept those acting as distributors. This approach keeps things local and encourages new business growth. Regulars know vendors by name, kids play while parents shop, and the whole market operates with genuine community energy.
Forsyth Park serves as both an incredibly popular tourist destination and a genuine community space. The park’s magic lives in these details that most visitors might not actively notice but definitely sense when they stop by – the thoughtful design choices, the layered history, and the ongoing community investment that keeps the park feeling alive and welcoming.
About the Author
As the editor in chief of Frayed Passport, my goal is to help you build a lifestyle that lets you travel the world whenever you want and however long you want, and not worry about where your next paycheck will come from. I've been to 20+ countries and five continents, lived for years as a full-time digital nomad, and have worked completely remotely since 2015. If you would like to share your story with our community, or partner with Frayed Passport, get in touch with me at sarah@frayedpassport.com!
All images except featured image courtesy of the author. Featured image by Philip Arambula on Unsplash.
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