Garden Tour a hit with locals and visitors alike

Posted on June 5, 2022 By Editor Neighborhood News, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill

RAP Board Chair Perry Reynolds with homeowner Rick Pariani, Melody and Bill Bishop

Another spring Garden Tour is in the books, as year two of the Riverside Avondale Garden Tour was held Saturday, May 7. Delightful weather and the absence of rain helped drive a solid turnout of over 800 attendees who visited the area for the neighborhood event. The tour offers a unique opportunity for both locals and visitors to enjoy the interesting garden, patio and landscaped spaces, nooks and crannies that make the area such a special place to visit.

The tour, which played out over eleven tour stops locations throughout the historic district to include four activity locations as well as three lunch and drink spots for patrons to cool off and grab a refreshing cocktail. Sites on the tour were listed at 2767 Herschel St., 2761 Herschel St., 2779 Oak St., 1612 Cherry St, 1250 McDuff Ave., 1534 Avondale Ave., 1384 Belvedere Ave., 1379 Belvedere Ave., 1278 Talbot Ave., 1610 Geraldine Dr. and 3852 St. Johns Ave. The activity stops were hosted at 3306 Park Street at the Native Plant Discovery at Native Park, 829 Riverside Ave at the Historic Gardens at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and 1513 Azalea Terrace for Vegetable Gardening at the Community Garden and at 1501 Mallory St., where patrons were introduced to the Future Site of a community Labrynth. The snack and lunch and drink spots were found at 829 Riverside Avenue at the Cummer Café, 3638 Park St. at the Iguana on Park, along with the final spot on the creekfront porch at 4070 Herschel St. and lunch at Harp’s.

The backyard gardens at the Pariani residence were enjoyed by visitors on the Garden Tour.

“During Garden Tour this year I had the pleasure of being a greeter at one of the gardens. I chatted with hundreds of visitors, many of whom were families and friends enjoying Mother’s Day together. I met dozens of people from all over Jacksonville and beyond,” shared Perry Reynolds, RAP Board Chair. “All agreed that RAP is doing great work and the tour was a way to soak up gardening inspiration. The RAP Garden Tour will definitely be back in 2023.”

Shannon Blankinship, executive director of Riverside Avondale Preservation, shared sentiments via email about the festivities, she felt that the tour helps showcase the diversity of yards and gardens in our neighborhood, while also allowing a safe, outdoor experience to be had.

Cindy Guy with her daughter-in-law Lynn Holman

“In 2021, the event was a response to the ongoing Covid pandemic and the desire to find ways to celebrate our neighborhood outdoors. This year, RAP hosted both the Home Tour and the Garden Tour – and we learned that people want both,” she shared via email.

The Garden Tour featured professionally landscaped backyards, homegrown artistry, a deep appreciation and understanding of plants and ecosystems, and a varied approach to small urban yards. The waterways, old growth trees, art, and small business pop-ups all leaned on neighborhood characteristics that are indicative of the historic districts, highlighting the attributes that make the area such a coveted place to call home, according to Blankenship.

The Pariani residence was showcased on the tour as stop (F) on the tour, it was named Mediterranean Resort Experience.

“Our neighborhood isn’t just architecture and infrastructure. The trees and vegetation are a part of our home and lifestyle. We hope everyone on the tour gained gardening inspiration and had fun doing it,” she said.