Neighborhood on display for Heritage Hill Garden Tour

Heritage Hill gardeners will open up their private gardens to the community this Saturday, July 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For $8 in advance ($10 day-of-tour), visitors can purchase a ticket that folds open into a map for a self-guided tour of the five-block area in the northern end of the neighborhood, the area selected to be showcased for this year's Heritage Hill Annual Garden Tour. 

Visitors are invited to stroll the neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful architecture characteristic of the historic district. There will be signs in front of the homes that are participating in the tour. Gardeners will be in their gardens to talk to people and share their ideas for gardening.

For the first time, a garden shop, selling plants and divisions from people's gardens, will be located near the ticket stand at 45 College NE. In addition to plants, handmade crafts, pottery and other art (local area garden-related objects) from neighborhood artists will be available for purchase. 

The event first began six years ago as a way for neighborhood residents who had a common interest in gardening to come together, see each other's work, and share ideas while raising some funds for the neighborhood association, according to Jim Payne, this year's chief event organizer.

"A garden is like a direct reflection of the person who creates it," says Payne. "When you get invited into someone's garden, it's really an invitation into a private space, a very personal impression of the person." 

Parking will be available across the street from the ticket stand in the Central Reform Church Parking lot. 

Attendees can buy tickets ahead of time at Art of the Table, Martha's Vineyard, Wealthy Street Bakery, Heritage Hill Association Office, or online at the Heritage Hill Association Website. For any further questions regarding the event, contact the Heritage Hill Association Office at (616) 459-8950.