With three more garden walks this weekend, there is a lot to see!
The East Side Garden Walk has expanded to two days and has added a Children’s Garden Festival. The City of Tonawanda Garden Walk and the Ken-Ton Garden Walk have nighttime garden tours in addition to their daytime tours.
Open Gardens continue on Thursday and Friday as well.
East Side Garden Walk
The East Side Garden Walk will be two days this year: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24.
There will also be new activities, including a Children’s Garden Festival.
This is a free, self-guided tour of more than 70 gardens.
About the East Side Garden Walk
More than a garden tour, the East Side Garden Walk is a way for residents in East Buffalo to take control of the narrative for their community. They share gardens, stories and a spirit of perseverance with those from within and outside their neighborhoods.
The East Side Garden Walk is creating positive stories of their homes and neighborhood because this community matters. Residents use their love of gardening and community to create connections between gardeners, neighbors and visitors. This event is transforming the neighborhood by providing the spotlight for gardeners to “show out” by encouraging change and inviting new ideas and growth.
The garden walk also provides a way for those living outside East Buffalo to show up and help out in a fun community-building event. Don’t miss this chance to be a good neighbor.
New at East Side Garden Walk
Here’s what’s new this year:
- The East Side Garden Walk has expanded to two days.
- There will be two headquarters. You can pick up free maps and get your questions answered by volunteers here:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Park near the Masten district sign, close to Fillmore and North Parade. (East Side Garden Walk T-shirts will be sold here as well.)
- People’s Park, Main Street and Jewett Parkway.
- You can also pick up maps at all Buffalo Libraries prior to the walk. You can also download a printable map here.
- Donate a backpack for a kid! You can donate backpacks with school supplies for distribution to children of East Buffalo. Visit EastSideGardenWalk.com for a school supply list. Drop off your donation at the East Side Garden Walk headquarters during the walk.
- Children’s Garden Festival will be held from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23 at Box Ave Park, 66 Box Ave., between Fillmore Avenue & Kehr Street. Admission is free. There will be garden activities, bounce houses, free concessions, DJ, games, aerial dancers and free food. Buffalo’s Poet Laureate Jillian Hanesworth will perform at 5 p.m. The bookbag giveaway will take place immediately after her performance. Free community resources include grocery distribution (while supplies last), bicycle repair, and information from organizations meeting the needs of the community.
- Backpack Giveaway. Donated backpacks will be distributed at 5 p.m. at Children’s Garden Fest on Box Avenue.
Ken-Ton Garden Tour
The Ken-Ton Garden Tour will hold evening and daytime tours.
Night Lights will be held from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23.
The day tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24.
These garden tours take place in the Village of Kenmore & Town of Tonawanda. They are free and self guided. There will be 50 gardens.
Pick up a map at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1 Pool Plaza, Tonawanda. You can also see the map here.
Visit kentongardentour.com for more info.
City of Tonawanda
The City of Tonawanda Garden Walk will hold evening and daytime tours.
Friday Night Lights will be held from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 22. (On the map, the night tours will be designated with a purple half moon icon.) All of the Friday Night gardens will also be open Saturday.
The daytime tours will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23. (On the map, the daytime tours will be designated with a yellow sun icon.)
See a map of the garden walk here.
The City of Tonawanda Garden Walk will have 30 gardens. Features include water gardens, rock gardens, koi ponds and breathtaking arrangements in meditation gardens.
