The Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk is this coming Sunday, June 22nd and it is Chicago's best

by Sharon Ostrowski
The East Beverly Association welcomes summer with the 21st Annual Beverly Hills/ Morgan Park Garden Walk on Sun., June 22. The walk features nine neighborhood gardens, with something to appeal to every gardener’s (and wishful gardener’s) tastes.

The Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk has been named one of the top ten garden walks by Chicago Magazine, and this year the variety of gardens will provide a particularly delightful experience for visitors. Set in our historic community, among architecturally-significant homes and tree-lined streets, the gardens truly exemplify Chicago’s motto of “Urbs in Horto” – City in a Garden.

Visitors on this year’s Garden Walk will experience a diversity of styles, ranging from quiet contemplative spaces to robust yards bursting at the seams with blooms. An added attraction will be the presence of Audrey Fisher, a volunteer with the Chicago Conservation Corps, who will promote the use of rain barrels in conserving water and helping the environment.

Garden Walk Preview

Nestled in North Beverly, an English garden complete with statuary will delight visitors. Winding footpaths lead through lush foliage, creating a private sanctuary with lovely views from all angles.

Another North Beverly treat is a corner lot with sculpted beds, extending the garden to the street. Several varieties of hostas flourish, and small shrubs are a highlight among the perfectly landscaped beds of perennials and annuals that flow around the house.

An eclectic garden will greet visitors in Central Beverly with a diverse mix of perennials, annuals and vegetables surrounding a wooden gazebo. Birdbaths and other attractions abound in this whimsical garden.

Central Beverly also offers an extensive native garden, with over 500 native perennials, trees and shrubs. Six-foot tall flowers will certainly fascinate garden walk guests. This prairie garden is truly a bird and butterfly haven.

A West Beverly garden features hand-carved trellises and arbors that create a captivating retreat. Non-traditional presentation of plantings is sure to spark creativity in all who visit. Participants on the garden walk will enjoy several additional gardens, featuring unique and enchanting landscapes.

Rain Barrels

Several Beverly/Morgan Park residents are doing their part to prevent storm water from flowing into an over-taxed sewer system by collecting rain water in barrels, then using the water for lawns and gardens and to wash cars, bikes and outdoor furniture. Chicago residents who are interested in collecting and using rain water can order recycled rain barrels in advance and pick them up at the Garden Walk. The barrels are available through the Chicago Department of the Environment, one barrel per household per year as supply lasts. The cost is $40. To place orders or obtain more information contact Audrey Fischer, 773-233-7579 or audreyfischer@sbcglobal.net.

Persons who order barrels are invited to decorate them at, Beverly Bank & Trust, 1908 W. 103rd St., the Garden Walk starting point, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Google-eyes, grass skirts and other decorative items will be provided, or bring your own along with a smile! Showcase a barrel at your home, then take a photo and send it in, decorated or not, to Audrey Fischer.

According to the Chicago Department of Environment, Chicago residents use 2.4 billion gallons of water a day. All of that water comes from Lake Michigan, a finite resource.

Garden Walk Schedule

Gardens will be open noon to 5 p.m. Guided trolley tours of all the gardens depart from Beverly Bank & Trust, 1908 W. 103rd St., at 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., on a first come, first served basis. Participants can choose to self-guide in their own vehicles or on bikes.

Ticket Outlets

Tickets for the 21^st Annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk are $12, $10 for seniors, and are available at World Music Company, 1808 W. 103rd St.; Heritage Gallery, 1915 W. 103rd St.; Beverly Bank, 1908 W. 103rd St.; and My Sisters Knits, 9907 S. Walden Pkwy. For further information, call 773-233-7633, email johnpresta@att.net. Or visit http://www.gemmasgarden.com.

All proceeds from the Garden Walk benefit Beverly/Morgan Park community gardens and help support free community events.

The East Beverly Association thanks Beverly Bank & Trust, Garden Walk host sponsor, and other generous sponsors, State Rep. Kevin Joyce, PRS Realty, Founders Bank, The Plaza, County Fair Foods, Reading on Walden Bookstore, Clifco Concrete, Professor Becker and his Guitar, Munro Landscape, Calabria Imports and 19th Ward Ald. Ginger Rugai.