'Grand Gardens of the Niagara Portage' to be showcased at July 18 event

Parks and gardens along the historic Niagara Portage will be the featured destinations Saturday, July 18, as four city institutions present a series of outdoor activities for people of all ages.

The event, titled "Grand Gardens of the Niagara Portage," will take place at various times throughout the day at the Niagara Falls Public Library, Oakwood Cemetery, Schoellkopf Park and the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center.

The Niagara Falls Public Library, 1425 Main St., will feature a book signing by a local author in Turtle Rock Garden from 10 a.m. to noon, as well as a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the International Peace Garden. The library also will have children's activities and crafts in the "Learning Together Sculpture Area" from 1-4 p.m.

Oakwood Cemetery, 763 Portage Road, will offer a welcome at 10 a.m., followed by the "Smug Creek Gardens" presentation, hosta and book sale, "Tree Tour" and the "Power of Garden Tourism" presentation. Events at Oakwood will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Memorial Medical Center's Schoellkopf Park, on Portage Road between Pine and Walnut avenues, will host events from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Featured will be a tour of Schoellkopf Park by Joy Kuebler, landscape architect of the park. Tai chi in the park will follow at 11 a.m., followed by yoga in the park at 12:30 p.m. The Schoellkopf Garden Club will be available to greet guests from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From 10 a.m. to noon, the NACC, 1201 Pine Ave., will feature the "Children's Garden," where children can learn to grow fruits and vegetables. The ninth annual Good News Gospel Festival will take place on the front steps of the NACC from 1 to 7 p.m.

The New York State Parks trolley will provide transportation between locations.

"Grand Gardens of the Niagara Portage" was founded and organized by Oakwood Cemetery board members Pete Ames and Trudy Christman, and Marge Gillies from the Oakwood Cemetery gardens and landscape committee.

A map and schedule of the day's activities for "Grand Gardens of the Niagara Portage" is posted on the Oakwood Cemetery website at www.myoakwoodcemetery.com. For more information, contact Ames at [email protected].