By Barbara Arnstein
Three different annual wonderful garden walks are coming up in Western New York in July. The Hamburg Garden Walk takes place this weekend, July 11 & 12; the East Aurora Garden Walk, on Saturday, July 18, and the nation’s largest garden tour, Garden Walk Buffalo, takes place the weekend of July 25 & 26.
Started back in 1995 on Buffalo’s West Side, Garden Walk Buffalo now includes several hundred gardens in neighborhoods throughout the city. Besides the West Side, it now encompasses Elmwood Village, Allentown, the Cottage District, the Parkside area, and others, and annually hosts tens of thousands of visitors. In addition to gardens and historic architecture, Allentown features musicians and local artists, gorgeous hidden courtyards and art installations.
Fun fact: The Buffalo Shuttle Bus is back! Visitors to Garden Walk Buffalo can easily visit the neighborhoods on the walk during the event by hopping on and off the bus all weekend. To see as many neighborhoods as possible, pre-order a wristband by July 13, the day they’re mailed out. Pre-ordered wristbands cost $10 each, while those bought on the day of the event cost $15. The Buffalo garden walk takes place between 10am-4pm. Printed maps will be available at the Garden Walk Headquarters at the Buffalo Seminary at 205 Bidwell Parkway. For more information, go to: gardensbuffaloniagara.com.
The Hamburg Garden Walk, now in its twenty-first year, extends from 10am-4pm on both days. Maps will be available at the bandstand in Memorial Park in Hamburg, any time during the event hours. It includes a garden-themed vendor fair, including small businesses and artisans. Each year, thousands visit from around the country. For more information, go to: hamburggardenwalk.com.
A digital map for the East Aurora Garden Walk, which extends from 10am-3pm, will be posted on the website eagardenwalk.com beforehand, showing each garden’s location and what it has to offer. It will also include information about accessibility. “Every garden in the East Aurora Garden Walk has something unique and inspiring to offer”, said Erin Masterson Holko, of Masterson’s Garden Center in East Aurora, which sponsors the walk, now in its fourth year. “Kim Kaiser and I have worked together to do the organizing, but truly the hosts of the gardens do the work to make this a really special garden walk. We’re both just volunteers that are proud of our little town and think gardening is a wonderful thing.” Masterson’s will have paper copies of the map available on the Friday before the event and on the day it happens.
the Parkside area, and others, and annually hosts tens of thousands of visitors. In addition to gardens and historic architecture, Allentown features musicians and local artists, gorgeous hidden courtyards and art installations.
The walk’s special vibe is reflected in its slogan, “A Stroll for the Soul”. “East Aurora is a beautiful historic town with opportunities for walking and appreciating established gardens and beautiful homes every day”, continued Erin. “I suggest visitors going to see the Walk plan to make a whole day of it. After visiting the gardens on the list, they should stop in to enjoy some food and shopping at our small, locally owned businesses.