Garden Stroll Sunday June 23rd, 2013

A perennial favorite, the Summit Avenue Garden Stroll, returns Sunday, June 23^th 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.

·        Online at www.brownpapertickets.com  or at www.sarpa.org

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.

The Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association sponsors the Stroll and Tea and is proud to be recognized as the “Nation’s Best Intact Street from Victorian Era,” by the American Planning Association.