Welcome to the 2019 Northwest Buffalo Tour of Gardens! This year marks the 15th year that the Tour of Gardens has showcased the gardening talents abundant in our communities. Last year was a year of change for the NWB Tour of Gardens. This year we are continuing to offer the popular two nights of evening garden viewing. Our very well received van tour of select gardens will return again this year. And we will have garden art and enhancements available for purchase at our Garden Market at Tour Headquarters on Saturday.
One of the new additions this year is on our garden listing guide. There is a special designation on some addresses that indicates these spaces are a certified National Wildlife Foundation Habitat. We are highlighting this as a way to thank those that have taken time to plant with the purpose of encouraging pollinators and wildlife so that we can work to create a sustainable and balanced ecosystem in our community. Each of these yards and community green spaces are participating in the BRRAlliance Habitat Project, an initiative that is funded in part by a generous grant from the Paul and Helen Ellis Charitable Trust with a goal to certify the City of Buffalo as a NWF Habitat Community by year end. Once achieved, this will make Buffalo the largest certified Habitat Community in New York State and the 13th largest in the United States.
As you visit these habitat spaces, have the gardeners tell you how easy it is to become certified and then certifying your yard or a green space in your community and be part of this grassroots project to ensure a healthy ecosystem for years to come.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy summer to visit and appreciate our urban gardens. Thank you to all of those who have worked hard to make this weekend happen including the volunteers, planners, vendors and sponsors who have supported our efforts. And of course, a very special thanks to the people of our communities who make their piece of the world a little more beautiful by putting their time and talents into their gardens and who are sharing it with us this weekend.
Mary Ann Kedron
President, BRRAlliance Board of Directors
NORTHWEST BUFFALO TOUR OF GARDENS
2019 Schedule of Events
All events & activities take place at Tour Headquarters unless otherwise noted
St. Mark’s/All Saints Church – 311 Ontario Street, Buffalo, NY 14207
Friday, August 2 8p-10p – Starry Nights Garden Tour (select gardens- map coming soon)
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Saturday, August 3 10a-4p – Open Garden Tour (map coming soon)
10a-3p – Poster Art Exhibit and voting – Headquarters Parish Hall
10a-12n & 1p-3p – Guided Bus Tour of select gardens (reservations required)
10a-4p – Garden Market – local crafters and artisans
8p-10p – Starry Nights Garden Tour (select gardens, map coming soon)
Bus Tours
While there are several new activities this year, one to take note of now and plan ahead for are the bus tours available on Saturday, August 3. With a tour guide on board, you will get a great overview of some of the history of the communities the tour will cross through and you will get to visit select gardens. There will be two tours, one from 10a-12n and one from 1p-3p and both start at NWBTOG Headquarters, St. Mark’s/All Saints Church at 311 Ontario Street. Advanced reservations are highly recommended because space is limited. Cost per person is $10 per tour.
To secure your reservations online visit https://nwbtourofgardens2019.eventbrite.com/ and be sure to select tickets for either the 10am or 1pm tour. To make reservations by phone, call the BRRAlliance at 716-202-9070, or in person by visiting the BRRAlliance office during regular office hours. Once you have made your reservations, please plan to be at Tour Headquarters twenty minutes prior to your selected departure time.
Special thanks to the Northwest Buffalo Community Center for helping us make these bus tours available and affordable.
Northwest Buffalo Tour of Gardens
Starry Night Gardens open Friday, August 2, 8p-10p
Gardens are something to behold during the day, but often due to busy schedules or family and work obligations many gardeners don’t get to enjoy the beauty of their labors until after the sun sets and they can just sit in the coolness of the evening and see their plantings come to life with purposefully positioned lighting and with often times whimsical illuminated garden art. The following gardeners are opening their gardens this evening for you to view as they do, after hours.
Friday Night Starry Garden Map
Northwest Buffalo Tour of Gardens
Starry Night Gardens open Saturday, August 3, 8p-10p
The gardeners that open their beautiful spaces to visitors after hours are sharing what is, in most cases, a private delight that is usually reserved for friends and family. They have given you an open invitation to see their gardens with the purposefully designed lighting that brings to life and highlights the beauty of their plantings after the sun goes down and when cooler temperatures bring plants, and sometimes animals, more to life.
Northwest Buffalo Tour of Gardens
Gardens open on Saturday, August 3 from 10am-4pm
Many thanks to the following residents and business owners who are sharing their beautiful and creative spaces with visitors from all over Western New York. Please keep in mind as you are visiting these gardens that you are guests in these yards and please do take time to talk to the gardeners and ask questions if you see something that catches your eye, or if you would like more information about their design choices, planting techniques or garden art displays.
Saturday Self Guided Tour of Gardens Map
Garden Market
Join us at the Garden Market at Tour Headquarters where there will be garden art and merchandise for purchase along with NW Buffalo Tour of Garden merchandise graced with winning art from the #GardenVisions collection.
There will also be an opportunity to take a chance on a drawing for some beautifully handmade items from our volunteers.
#GardenVisions Art
The stunning artwork that graces the cover of this year’s tour booklet and poster was selected through an art contest managed by the University Heights Arts Association. The call for artists brought over 80 entries and we wish to express our thanks to all for participating and congratulate Andrea Burke on her winning entry.