by Connie Oswald Stofko
This is the last week to visit gardens in Western New York, and there are so many to see!
First, don’t forget about Open Gardens this Thursday and Friday, your last chance to tour about 100 select gardens this year. You’ll also be able to see Artists in Open Gardens, where visual artists will be creating art in gardens in Alden, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, East Aurora, Eden, Grand Island, Hamburg, Lockport, Tonawanda, West Falls, West Seneca and Williamsville. See the details here.
This weekend is Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in North America, with more than 300 gardens to see in just two days. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28.
There are so many gardens to choose from. You can wander in just one area and you’ll have a great weekend.
If there’s something you want to see in particular, just refer to the map—gardens are listed by several categories such as vegetable gardens, water features, gardens with native plants and gardens in hellstrips. There’s even a list of gardens that were photographed for the Buffalo-Style Gardens book.
If you want to see gardens that are scattered around Garden Walk Buffalo, it’s convenient using a free shuttle. While you’re on the bus, volunteer docents from Explore Buffalo can tell you about the landmarks and neighborhoods along the route.
Tip: If you want to miss some of the crowds, don’t spend all your time where gardens are bunched up; walk a couple blocks to see a solitary garden. Those gardens are interesting, too!
There are many ways to get a map. Ahead of time, you can find maps online and at some sponsor locations in Buffalo and suburbs; see the links here.
During Garden Walk Buffalo, you can get maps as well as purchase merchandise, make a donation, find restrooms and ask questions. The headquarters are located at:
- Canisius High School Field House, 1180 Delaware Ave.
- St. Mark School, 399 Woodward Ave.
- West Side Community Services, 161 Vermont St.
And new this year: free backpacks for kids. Visit the West Side Community Center Garden Walk Headquarters, Saturday or Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and pick up a free backpack—while supply lasts—to get school off to a great start. (Child must be present.)
