by Ann McCulloh

A FREE self-guided tour of Gardens in Cleveland, Ohio, July 7-8, 2018. Some new features (see below) and some favorites, too. Check it out at gardenwalkcleveland.org.

GardenWalk Cleveland has been a (nearly) annual tradition in Cleveland since 2010, when the founders of this free, self-guided celebration of this city’s neighborhoods and gardens were inspired by their experiences of the GardenWalk in Buffalo New York. After seeing the way GardenWalk Buffalo revitalized perceptions of that city from cold, drab and depressed, to vibrant and blooming, Jan Kious and Bobbi Reichtel initiated an all-volunteer effort to bring that same vitality and spirit of neighborliness to Cleveland.

GardenWalk Cleveland is an invitation to walk the city’s neighborhoods and glimpse literally hundreds of unique hidden worlds. Every gardener has a vision of their ideal place, created in partnership with art and nature. Most people love to share their proud successes, but also welcome the chance to discuss their hopes and letdowns with sympathetic fellow gardeners.

All of us co-editors at Gardenopolis.com are eager to fan out and swarm the extraordinary and quirky gardens of five neighborhoods this year. My tour last year included stunning water gardens and daylilies in West Park, and intimate, mysterious lakeside hideaways in North Collinwood.  I’m looking forward to touring (and photographing) in Slavic Village, Detroit Shoreway and Little Italy this year.

This year’s Garden Walk Cleveland continues the tradition of a free, self-guided tour of selected, and possibly unfamiliar neighborhoods around the city. There are also a couple of changes, just to keep things interesting!

1. LITTLE ITALY is the new neighborhood on the tour. Cleveland’s distinct and varied neighborhoods are some of it’s proudest features. Little Italy has a European character, with many restaurant patios and pocket gardens on display.
2. SPLIT SCHEDULE! Gardens in West Park and Detroit Shoreway will be open for touring on Saturday July 7 from 10-5pm ONE DAY ONLY.The gardens of Little Italy, North Collinwood and Broadway Slavic Village will be open on Sunday July 8 from 10-5pm FOR ONE DAY only.
3. REFRESHMENT STATIONS for picking up map guides, raffle tickets, etc. will be at selected gardens (three in each neighborhood), where you can also get snacks and beverages. Refreshment stations are indicated in the guide with red dots, and by a colorful banner in front of the garden.
4. The raffle prize is a collection of garden items and gift certificates worth over $600. Tickets are one for $5, five for $20, and available at refreshment stations.

You can find the interactive garden guide and lots more information online at gardenwalkcleveland.org (click on the “Guide” button at the top of the page) or pick up your free map of the garden locations at Dave’s Supermarkets around Cleveland.

Take advantage of this open invitation to explore Cleveland’s colorful gardens and unique places – you’ll be amazed and inspired by the creativity and originality of your neighbors and fellow gardeners.