Bucktown Annual Tree and Garden Walk-Part I

We headed to Bucktown on Saturday for its 2011 tree and garden walk presented by the Bucktown Community Organization. For a five dollar donation, we received the Garden Guide with Bucktown maps; access to a neighborhood trolley; and a coupon from Club Lucky for $10.00 off a $35.00 bill at its restaurant. (Stopped for salads in between walk-not bad)

The map included addresses of close to 90 separate garden spots and 100 tree areas. And although the trolley let us off at various clusters of gardens, it still required walking to designated areas--a tiring task for those trying to cover most of the walk in a one-day 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. time period. It also took a little pre-planning to figure out what to see per the guidebook’s summaries and at times it was a bit confusing and frustrating; it would have been helpful to study the areas you wanted to hit before the actual day of the event. 

I have a few highlights and a few “need to work on on suggestions” for future walks. However, the organizers did an amazing job of pulling it all together--not an easy task considering the overwhelming number of gardens recognized. (Second part in future blog)

What they did well:  A few of the garden homeowners went beyond the call of hospitable.  It may seem intrusive to have to pass through the house to get to see the garden, but one gardener’s only access was to stroll through an upscale mud room/family area to a country- chic decorated backyard whereby she offered guests a table offering of wine, sandwiches, cookies, lemonade and water. How nice was that?!

At another home we were greeted by a whimsical Humpty Dumpy embellishment perched in front of the home gazing down at the world below him. Not only did we view this gardener's backyard enchanted garden which included special water features (water fall) surrounded by river rock, but he additionally invited attendees in to see his home to view a 15’ to 17’ (it was tall--reaching over two stories) custom-made vertical indoor wall water fountain. The indented base was surrounded with similar smooth river rocks. 

Another gentleman greeted guests by lining his stone pathway with burning incense! The backyard patio was made with recycled brick found on Clark Street and he had his art studio opened for viewing. 

More later. Here's Humpty!