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W <br /> 51"I'llgi"gli - — ' - — <br /> EUGENE <br /> April 5, 2003 <br /> CONTACT: <br /> • Michael Robert, Head Gardener, Hendricks Park, 682-5324 <br /> • Therese M. Picado, Public Information Specialist, Parks and Open Space, 682-4814 or <br /> 682-4800, therese.m.picado(c�ci.eugene.or.us <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> RHODODENDRON AND NATIVE PLANT GARDEN TOURS <br /> BEGIN THIS SUNDAY AT HENDRICKS PARK <br /> Hendricks Park is bursting with color, and this Sunday, April 6, park gardeners will identify <br /> those spring wonders, talk about the history of the park and recent restoration and cultivation <br /> projects, and answer questions on guided tours of the Rhododendron Garden and Native Plant <br /> Garden. The tour of the Native Plant Garden, "Wildflower Walk," begins at 11 a.m., followed by <br /> the tour of the Rhododendron Garden at 1 p.m. Tours begin at the F. M. Wilkins Shelter at 2200 <br /> Summit Avenue and last about an hour. <br /> Head Gardener Michael Robert invites visitors to partake in the visual feast. "The canopy <br /> of magnolias, crowning over the rhododendrons, appears as a cloud of pastels, and the early <br /> rhododendrons add to a circus of color, in conjunction with the many bulbs and perennials on <br /> the ground," says Robert. "The Native Plant Garden is also in full bloom with hosts of trilliums, <br /> and western Solomon's seal." <br /> Robert suggests wearing comfortable shoes and dressing appropriately for all kinds of <br /> weather. The wildflower tour travels through the area around the shelter and into an area of the <br /> forest that was recently cleared of ivy on gravel or wood chip paths. The rhododendron tour <br /> walks through the hillside garden on groomed gravel paths that are largely accessible to people <br /> using wheelchairs. Pets are not allowed. <br /> Tours will continue every Sunday through May 18. Parking is limited at the park; <br /> alternative transportation is strongly encouraged. To visit the park by bus, take the #27 <br /> Fairmount route to Walnut and 17th, walk south to Fairmount, and continue one block, then turn <br /> east on Summit and walk up to the top of the hill where you will see the Wilkins shelter. For <br /> more information or special accessibility accommodations, call the office at Hendricks Park at <br /> 682-5324. <br /> ### <br />