Children's Garden Highlights 2010 Garden Walk
On June 26, 2010, nine gardens will be showcased on the 17th annual
OPRF Garden Walk. Sponsored by two local organizations, Garden Club of Oak
Park and River Forest, and Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON), this
year’s garden walk will focus on lovely private garden spaces and an inspiring children’s garden.
Highlights of some of the private garden settings include a large Koi pond surrounded by colorful plants, an outdoor kitchen with granite countertops set in an “all white” garden, and a shade garden housing a collection of frogs and mirrors.
The children’s garden is at Hatch School in Oak Park. The "Hatch Patch" is planted, tended and harvested by kids and their families. The vegetables that are harvested have become a source of food for the Oak Park Food Pantry. Grassy paths, benches shaded by Ginkgo trees, a wide variety of mid-western vegetables, and circular planting beds create an attractive space with a practical purpose.
Additionally, this year’s Garden Walk will showcase several pieces of Haitian metal art that are provided by Ridge Art, an international folk art dealer, 21 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL 60304, (708) 848-4062. Although not specifically designed for a garden, these sculptures and wall pieces are durably fashioned from metal taken from steel drums. These works of Haitian folk artists enhance the garden design, showing the creativity and versatility of the pieces. Ridge Art is also donating a piece of Haitian art to be raffled off to a lucky Garden Walk participant. (See below for a photo of the raffle item.)
The Garden Walk is a self-guided tour that begins at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St., Oak Park, (708) 725-2461. Tickets purchased the day of the walk are $18.
Beginning May 1, 2010, however, tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at the Conservatory and at the following locations:
- Oak Park Visitors Bureau – 1010 W. Lake St., Oak Park, (708) 848-1500
- Magic Tree Book Store – 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, (708) 848-0770
- Westgate Flower and Plant Shop – 841 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, (708) 386-0072
- Good Earth Greenhouse – 7900 W. Madison St., River Forest, (708) 366-9500
- Carriage Flower Shop – 124 N. Marion St., Oak Park, (708) 383-4862
- McAdam Nursery & Garden Center – 2001 DesPlaines Ave., Forest Park, (708) 771-4903
- Tulipia Floral Design, 7617 W. Lake Street, River Forest, (708) 209-1323
- Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St., Oak Park, (708) 725-2461
On the day of the walk, tickets must be exchanged at the Conservatory for the Garden Guide, which must be displayed for entry into the gardens.
Questions: Email: oakparkriverforestgardenwalk@gmail.com
'Haitian Tree of Life' Raffle Prize
Hatch Patch Artistic Sign
