Join the Gardens Project on a Ukiah Garden Tour!
Friday, September 6, 2019
Attendees will walk, bike, or drive a tour of four community gardens, followed by a reception featuring live music, local food and beverages, and a silent auction.
NCO Gardens Project and Walk & Bike Mendocino are pleased to announce a tour of four community gardens and a lively reception in downtown Ukiah! The Garden Tour will be held in Ukiah, on Saturday, September 14th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm beginning at Vinewood Park, followed by a reception at the Ukiah Valley Networking Agency from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Attendees will get a chance to see what’s growing in the community with fresh garden bites at each stop on the tour and more delicious food, wine, beer, live music, and a silent auction at the reception.
The Garden Tour is a celebration of all that is local. The tour of the community gardens will highlight the impact of neighborhood- level food systems and give attendees the chance to sample small bites grown organically right here in Ukiah’s backyards. The reception will show off local gems like beer from Hare in the Forest Brewing Company, wines from Fetzer Vineyards and Rivino Winery, and food will be catered by small local businesses. Talented local artist Clay Hawkins will be playing live jazz at the reception, where guests can enjoy a lovely September evening outdoors, or step inside to view a virtual tour of the network of community gardens in nearby Lake County.
The silent auction will also feature exceptional items and experiences that celebrate the bounty of the local community. Some of the prizes available for bidding include: an overnight stay for two in a room or yurt at Orr Creek Hot Springs, an ocean kayaking tour for two with Kayak Mendocino, four acupuncture sessions from Community Acupuncture and a Swedish massage from Tashe A. Kurland, a one-month unlimited class pass to Radiant Yoga, and much more!
“Strong partnerships are crucial to our daily operations and allow us to empower community, one garden at a time. We are especially grateful for partners like Mayor Mo Mulheren, who has invited us to host our reception at her business, the Ukiah Valley Networking Agency,” commented Sarah Marshall, manager of the Gardens Project.
This year’s tour will showcase a sample of four of the 55 community gardens in the Gardens Project Cooperative Network. NCO Garden Project is proud to share Vinewood Park Garden (in partnership with the city of Ukiah), Jack Simpson Garden (in partnership with the RCHDC senior apartments), Orr Creek Veterans Garden (in partnership with the city of Ukiah), and State Street Garden (in partnership with National 9 Apartments). Each community garden represents a slice of our diverse community, and we know you’ll fall in love with their unique characters and local flavors just as much as we have!
Attendees are invited to walk, bike, or drive the tour. Route maps and informational brochures will be available at registration before the event from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Vinewood Park. The biking tour will be led by Walk & Bike Mendocino and the walking tour will be led by Gardens Project staff. The tour is a family- friendly event, and an excellent opportunity to get outdoors and explore while supporting your local community gardeners.
Proceeds from the Garden Tour will be reinvested into a network of 55 community gardens coordinated by Gardens Project across Lake and Mendocino Counties. The purchase of one $60 adult ticket covers the cost for two garden plot scholarships, empowering two families to grow their own healthy, organic food for an entire year. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for only $10, and community gardeners are invited to purchase tickets for a discounted rate of $40. Reception- only tickets are also available for $40. Those interested in attending, can purchase tickets online at www.gardensproject.org or in person, at Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op.
Gardens Project is a program of North Coast Opportunities, with the mission of empowering community, one garden at a time. The cooperative network of community gardens serves over 3,500 gardeners in Lake and Mendocino Counties through garden establishment and infrastructural updates, leadership trainings for garden managers, volunteer coordination, and educational workshops. The NCO Gardens
Project, with donors and partners, supports a more resilient, healthy, and sustainable local food system and community.
For more information about the 2019 Garden Tour, to purchase tickets, or donate to the cause, visit www.gardensproject.org or follow us on Facebook at NCO Gardens Project.