Western will be opening up its gates this weekend – its garden gates to be more exact.
The third annual Garden Gates Open Tour is part of London’s efforts for the Communities in Bloom initiative, an agricultural type of beauty contest for which Western won national honours in 2004.
Jim Galbraith, Manager of Grounds Maintenance and Waste Management, says he was approached by event organizer Donna Currie to see if Western would be interested in showing off some of its andscaped areas, floral displays and environmental awareness initiatives.
“It is a great way to let the general public visit Western and see how beautiful the grounds are, and also realize the campus is a place to walk, bike or visit throughout the season,” says Galbraith, adding those who visit campus this weekend will soon realize the amount of work Physical Plant Department employees do to maintain such a huge section of London.
“I think if they did visit they would be amazed at the size and the diversity of plantings on campus.”
Western’s walking garden tour will include locations such as the McIntosh Gallery, University College and the Beryl Ivey Garden, and include some arboretum trees, naturalized planting areas as well as examples of some of the art work across campus.
Along with dozens of private gardens on the tour, the free two-day event will also include tours of public venues such as Banting House, community gardens maintained by the city, Tecumseh elementary school and Fanshawe College.
What: 2010 Garden Gates Open tour
When: Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Check the online map at https://www.londoncib.ca/, then look for Garden Gates Open signs in yards.
To register your garden: Visit London’s Communities in Bloom website.
For more information: E-mail info@londoncib.ca.