A perennial favorite, the Summit Avenue Garden Stroll,
returns Sunday, June 23th
from Noon to 4 p.m. Ticketholders explore one of our country’s
most magnificent stretches of urban green spaces as well as walk into ten
Summit Avenue gardens.
Tickets may be purchased in
advance at several Grand Ave.
locations in Saint Paul:
·
A. Johnson & Son’s Florist 1738 Grand Ave.
·
Frattallone’s Ace Hardware Stores 650 Grand Ave. & 1676 Grand Ave
·
Kowalski’s Market 1261 Grand Ave.
Ticket prices: Purchased in advance, $10 for the Garden
Stroll and $12 for the informal tea. On
the day of the event, Stroll and Tea tickets may be purchased for $15 each at
the featured gardens or tea location, 1358 Summit
Avenue.
Garden strollers are encouraged
to park their cars and walk to the featured gardens. Free parking is available at Mount
Zion’s Temple,
1300 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul,
as well as ample street parking.
Proceeds from this
year’s event will support new traffic-calming features for the public garden at
the Lexington and Summit Ave.
Boulevard, one of the busiest intersections in the city for motorists, bikers,
runners and walkers each day.
“We want to call attention to the
volunteer-organized park on the east end of the boulevard at Summit
and Lexington. It used to be a
favorite photo spot for bridal couples and we want to help beautify this space
again with proceeds from this year’s stroll,” said Bethany Gladhill, President
of the Summit Avenue Residential & Preservation Association (SARPA). “Garden strollers will also find this section
particularly lovely and walkable. Lilac bushes fill the center boulevard for
several blocks and stately old oak and elm trees provide a cooling shade canopy,”
said Gladhill. Retired gardening
columnist for the Pioneer Press,
Marge Hols, will be in her garden to answer questions. Ramsey County Master Gardeners will also be
ready to answer questions in several of the other gardens.
An informal Garden Tea will be
held during the stroll from noon to 4 p.m. at 1358 Summit
Ave. catered by The Golden Fig owner and Twin
Cities Live celebrity chef, Laurie Crowell. Diners will have the
option to take their tea inside
or out at the pool side garden of this historic home. Throughout the afternoon tea, gift certificates
will be raffled off from local nurseries including Highland Nursery, Leitner’s
and Heart & Soil Design.
While at the Garden Stroll Tea, take in a special photo
exhibition by Michael Armstrong, carefully curated for the Summit Avenue Garden
Stroll. Armstrong’s show will focus on
horticultural and Saint Paul
images. A portion of event day sales
will go to support the mission of the Summit Avenue Residential and
Preservation Association.
The Summit Avenue Garden Stroll
& Tea will be held rain or shine. Watch
for more details the gardens at www.sarpa.org. Tickets for the Stroll & Tea go up to
$15 each if purchased at the tea or at any of the featured gardens.
