GreenUtica Invites Garden and Outdoor Enthusiasts to Explore Local Gardens During the GreenUtica Garden Tour on August 10

 

GreenUtica, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, announces a free community event, the GreenUtica Garden Tour, presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, on Saturday, August 10 from 10am to 3pm. To take the tour, which is a driving & walking tour of home gardens in neighborhoods throughout the City of Utica, people register at the GreenUtica office at 1641 Genesee Street the day of the event between 9:30 am and 1 pm. Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will also be at the GreenUtica office to answer gardening questions and to share tick awareness information. Tour stops will have a sign on the front lawn to let tour-goers know they can visit their gardens in the front, side, or back yards.

 

Tour goers will have a chance to explore a variety of gardens in the area while learning about different gardening and landscaping techniques from the home’s gardeners. This year, the tour has grown, according to Gina Pearce, executive director of GreenUtica. There will be approximately seventy home gardens on the tour in the downtown area, North Utica, West Utica, and South Utica. GreenUtica will also be acknowledging local businesses for their efforts to beautify their properties using landscaping and gardening by placing a sign on their property. All locations are designated on the tour map so that tour-goers can decide which gardens they would like to visit. “This tour event is perfect for garden enthusiasts who want to share their love of gardening along with nature lovers who enjoy being surrounded by the beauty of our natural environment,” Pearce said.

 

“Not only is this a great gardening community-building event, but it also promotes the healthy aspects of both gardening and being outdoors,” Pearce continued. “Growing and tending to trees, vegetables and flowers have incredible mental and physical benefits and a positive impact on our environment, while providing food and a beautification outcome for our city.

 

According to Pearce, the short-term goal for the GreenUtica Garden Tour is to celebrate the art of gardening while creating a sense of community and enthusiasm for the hobby. The long-term goal includes growing the event while teaching more people how to garden, celebrating our city, attracting tourism, and increasing civic pride—all resulting in enhanced quality of life in Utica and Oneida County.

 

GreenUtica’s mission is to maintain and beautify Utica’s parks and natural environment. GreenUtica has a 20-year history of preserving and maintaining parks in Utica, planting and maintaining the flowers on the Memorial Parkway, and planting trees.

 

For information, contact Gina Pearce at 315-794-4792 or gpearce@greenutica.org or visit greenuticagardentour.org.

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