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MAY 9, 2018
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Annual Mother’s Day Garden Tour planned in Marcellus
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Crossing the pond on giant stepping stones at Sycamore Hill Gardens is an annual favorite activity for families at the Mother’s Day Garden Tour in Marcellus.
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n Sunday, May 13, Baltimore Woods Nature Center will host its 18 th annual garden tour at Sycamore Hill Gardens, located at 2130 Old Seneca Turnpike, Marcellus, in celebration of spring and Mother’s Day. From 11 a.m.-4 p.m., families are invited to wander through nearly 40 acres of themed gardens, enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon outdoors in a beautiful natural setting. Proceeds benefit Baltimore Woods Nature Center in its mission to connect the CNY community to nature. Over the past 20 years, owners Karen and George Hanford have transformed a former dairy farm into expansive, beautiful gardens, as well as one of the largest
privately-owned bird sanctuaries in New York state. Sycamore Hill is only open to the public a few times each year, allowing people from all over Central New York a brief peek at a sweeping, wondrous temple of natural beauty. Adorned with 500,000 flowering bulbs, 700 varieties of trees, thousands of perennials, a bell garden (in which you can really ring bells and bang gongs) and ponds filled with colorful Japanese koi, Sycamore Hill Gardens provides the perfect place for guests to spend Mother’s Day. If you’re looking to add a bit of adventure to your day, try the acre-sized maze comprised of 2,200 emerald green arborvitaes, where guests can wend through the twists and
turns and discover what is hidden at the core. There is also the spectacle of George Hanford’s enormous green dragon, a living sculpture consisting of 38 Pendulous Blue Spruce, complete with toes made of rocks. New this year is a small children’s beach along the pond and a sunken Asian garden. Guests are free to casually meander the trails and bridges and admire the ponds, fountains, statuaries and lawns. They are even encouraged to pick three flowers to take home. The Chicken Bandit Food Truck will be on-site for food purchases, but guests are also free to pack their own picnic basket. New this year, guests can hear the lilt of music by student performers from the Car-
rie Lazarus Extraordinary Talent Foundation. Advance tickets are priced at $6 through May 7th. At baltimorewoods.org customers can buy tickets or see a list of local venues that also sell tickets. After May 7, tickets are $12, including at the gate. Admission for children eight and under is free, as is parking. It is a rain or shine event and guests are kindly asked to leave their pets at home. Golf cart tours are held for guests with mobility concerns. Due to limited seating, we ask guests to limit riders to those with mobility concerns plus one family member. Because it is a benefit, there are no refunds. For a glimpse of the gardens and for directions, visit sycamorehillgardens.com.