Hilltop Center hosts Summer Garden Walk

Water cascaded into small ponds speckled with brightly colored fish. Carefully manicured lawns burst with color as interested onlookers sauntered through local gardens. Hand-painted signs reflected the hard work invested in the Hilltop children's garden. \nArea residents opened their gardens to the public Saturday and Sunday for the 12th annual Summer Garden Walk. The Bloomington Garden Club organized the walk, selecting five gardens from various Bloomington locations. Proceeds from the annual event benefit IU's Hilltop Garden and Nature Center. \nSince 1948, the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center has been a part of the Department of Recreation and Park Administration in HPER. Known for its Summer Youth Garden Program, the center prides itself on its commitment to the environment and community awareness.\n"Everything we do has a purpose, and it is always ecological, and it's always with the betterment of the earth in mind," said Leah Garlotte, director of the center.\nBloomington Garden Club member and former president Linda Howard said the Garden Walk is a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy nature and share in that goal.\n"It is a wonderful fundraiser for a wonderful program at Hilltop that has not only children's programs but many programs that all people in the community are able to take part in," Howard said. \nFrom quaint to sprawling, each garden reflected the owner's unique tastes. A wooden trellis welcomed visitors to the Linda and Ed Hewitt's small backyard, while Merv Meister's large lot included an ornate playhouse. Each gardener was on hand to dispense advice to those attending. \nBloomington Garden Club members were given the opportunity to show off their abilities as well. The flower show displayed various arrangements from the unique to the ordinary. The music of renowned harpist Jane Yoon entertained patrons throughout the event.\nSue Olsen, a research associate in the Biology Department at IU, used the walk to find ideas to implement in her own garden. New to the community, Olsen said she enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Bloomington\'s plant life.\nEllettsville resident Denise Ogrin, who also attended the walk, saw the event as a way to support both her love of plants and her love of children. A kindergarten teacher, she believes whole-heartedly in the Summer Youth Garden Program the Hilltop Center supports. \n"It teaches them a lot about plants and patience," she said. \nHilltop Garden and Nature Center offers a wide variety of programming which includes a new therapeutic horticulture program. There are new plans underway to expand the grounds to include an amphitheater as well as making the gardens wheelchair accessible. Raising an estimated $10-12 thousand dollars in two days, the Garden Walk is one of the events the center relies on events to fund such improvements.\nThe next large fundraiser will occur in the fall. A Harvest Fling that includes a banquet and swing dancing is set for Oct. 20 at the Fountain Square Ballroom. Tickets are all ready on sale and can be purchased at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center. For more information call 855-2799.