GreenUtica announces a free community event-the GreenUtica Garden Tour, presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, on Saturday, August 10 from 10 am to 3 pm. To take the tour, which is a driving and walking tour of home gardens in neighborhoods throughout the City of Utica, people register at the GreenUtica office at 1641 Genesee Street, Utica. While there, tour goers can talk to the Cornell Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners, who will also be sharing information about tick awareness.
This year, the tour has grown, according to Gina Pearce, executive director of GreenUtica. There will be approximately 70 home gardens on the tour in the downtown area, North Utica, East Utica, West Utica and South Utica. GreenUtica will also be acknowledging local businesses for their efforts to beautify their properties using landscaping and flowers by placing a sign on their property. All locations will be designated on the tour map so that tour-goers can decide where they want to tour.
"Growing and tending to trees, vegetables and flowers have incredible mental and physical benefits and a positive impact on our environment, while providing food and a beautification outcome for our city." Pearce said. "Our short-term goal for the GreenUtica Garden Tour is to celebrate the art of gardning while creating a sense of community and enthusiasm for the hobby. Our longer-term goal includes growing the event while teaching more people how to garden, celebrating our city, attaching tourism, and increasing civic pride--all resulting in enhanced quality of life in Utica and Oneida County."