Public gardens: Today's their day

A friend who used to work at the Chicago Botanic Garden tells how crowds of people poured out of that city to the CBG in search of safety, sanity and serenity on September 11, 2001. As we've all learned in this post-9/11 world, security is a fragile commodity, but few places do a better job of providing serenity than public parks and gardens. They have the power to transform the way people feel about themselves and their cities. In many neighborhooods, they are what make the urban landscape livable. 

Friday, May 7th is the second annual National Public Gardens Day, an occasion devoted to reminding us of the important roles public gardens play in our lives. I will actually be volunteering today at one of my favorite public gardens, Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. Today (and tomorrow) is Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros, just one of many ways that garden interacts with our community.

They — along with the UW-Madison Arboretum and the UW's Allen Centennial Garden — offer beautiful escapes from the stress of our everyday lives. And they are all free to the public. But they're much more than pretty faces; they also provide information through classes, demonstrations, workshops and their libraries and bookstores. They offers us inspiration for our own gardens, and show us the latest plants and "green" techniques in their display gardens — giant teaching labs open to all of us.

Mother's Day weekend is a wonderful occasion to visit your favorite public garden. And while you're there, be sure to tell the staff how much you appreciate their efforts. And if you are not already a member of the Friends organization of your local public gardens, join today. More than ever, these institutions need our financial support as well as our vocal support. 

Mark snapped these images at Olbrich on Wednesday after he finished his volunteer stint, helping to set up for the plant sale.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Nice photos. It makes me want to go there.

[Altoon]

Thanks for this post, Linda, with Mark's beautiful photos. I didn't know about National Public Gardens day, and it's certainly an occasion for celebration. As a Brooklyn kid, Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden were so important to me. Living for years in Manhattan, Central Park became my garden spot. It's hard to imagine Manhattan without Central Park; I think it would be unlivable.