NDA’s 51st Garden Walk Set for July 19, 2009
March 7th, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact: Shelly Cellak
Ph. 773.398.6154
[email protected]
The 51st Dearborn Garden Walk
Presented by The North Dearborn Association
Set for Sunday, July 19, 2009, 12pm-5pm
A Tour of Private Gardens and Historic Architecture in Chicago
The North Dearborn Association’s annual Dearborn Garden Walk is one of the oldest garden walks in the nation offering access into some of the most spectacular urban garden retreats; many with historic significance. This is a fundraising event that draws in record numbers of visitors from all over the country each year.
Chicago, IL (March 6, 2009) – On July 19, 2009, the North Dearborn Association, a Chicago non-profit neighborhood organization, will sponsor its 51st Dearborn Garden Walk. The event runs from 12pm-5pm and begins at 1300 N. Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610 (entrance at corner of Goethe and Dearborn streets). Tickets are $35.00 on July 19, 2009 and $30.00 in advance. Advance sales end on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 12:00pm. For ticket purchase information, please call: 312-632-1241 or visit: www.DearbornGardenWalk.com.
Visitors travel from all over the country to experience this annual event and walk away with ideas for their own outdoor spaces. Over 20 private rear gardens are featured and range from minimalistic to classic small gardens and patio/terrace designs, each showcasing the most creative use of outdoor space in an urban setting. Due to the confines of smaller lots, urban gardeners need to be more imaginative with design and materials, often resulting in one-of-a-kind garden sites that exploit the unique charm of the given space. Many of the gardens are created around entertaining and sitting areas, offering city dwellers additional living quarters in the warmer months.
During the walk, guests are treated to dramatic garden vignettes created by a variety of designers and businesses. In addition, visitors can participate in an hour-long guided architectural tour of historic Dearborn Parkway. The architectural tour includes both pre and post-Chicago fire structures, sites that have been used in movies, homes formerly occupied by famous celebrities, and even a US President!
“We invite anyone who has a love for gardening and unique urban retreats to spend a relaxing day visiting these gardens that reflect the creativity and lifestyles of our gardeners,” commented Eileen Ganz, President of the North Dearborn Association. “Every year we get a variety of returning and new visitors eager to explore and enjoy a select and seldom seen group of Chicago’s most inspiring private gardens.”
Children 16 years of age and younger accompanied by an adult, as well as North Dearborn Association Partner in Preservation members, are free. Admission includes a Dearborn Garden Walk program with a map for a self-guided tour of the gardens, live jazz and classical music in select gardens, and guided architectural tours of historic Dearborn Parkway. To become a North Dearborn Association Partner in Preservation member and receive one free admission or to order advance non-refundable tickets, telephone 312-632-1241; order on-line wwww.dearborngardenwalk.com; send check or money order payable to NDA c/o Carol Truesdell, 1241 N. Dearborn Street, #1, Chicago, IL 60610; or fax with credit card and mailing info to: 312-944-9342.
Editors Note: Hi-res images of gardens and vignettes are available upon request.
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About The North Dearborn Association
The North Dearborn Association (NDA) is dedicated to the preservation and beautification of its Near North neighborhood. Proceeds from the Dearborn Garden Walk go back into the community for preservation and beautification efforts. The association recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, at which Mayor Richard M. Daley complimented it as “representing the best part of what is good about this city.” Among its recent projects, the NDA has led efforts to have vintage lampposts with hanging floral baskets installed at the intersections along North Dearborn from Division Street to the entrance of Lincoln Park at North Avenue. The new street lamps were installed in the spring of 2008 through the efforts and support of Alderman Brendan Reilly. In addition, NDA fought to preserve the vintage integrity of a structure housing a new CVS store, and is currently working to help preserve and renovate the historic 3Arts Club landmark building. The NDA is a member-supported organization. To become involved or for more information, please visit: www.northdearbornassociation.com
