Native Plant and Rhododendrom Garden Tours at Hendricks Park

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Oq/ 9/04 THU 17: 3 FAX 541 682 4882 EUGENE PW MNTNC & POS PW ADMIN 1~j001 t 1 ~ ~ ~J' April 28, 20 CONTACT: • Gin Alfriend, Gardener, Hendricks Park, 682-5324 • The se M. Picado, Public Information Specialist, Parks and Open Space, 882-4814 or 882 800, therese.m.picadotc'ac.euQene.or.us FOR iMME IATE RELEASE Native Plant and Rhododendron Garden Tours at Hendricks Park Spring is here and Hendricks Park is in vivid bloom. Encounter magnolias, fiododendrons and native ora on walking tours of the renowned fiododendron garden and native plant gardens at he park this Sunday, May 2. Ginny Alfriend, Hendricks Park gardener and resident native plan expert, wilt lead a tour of the native plant garden at 11 a.m., and Michael Robert, recently ret ed head gardener at Hendricks Park, will lead a tour of the rhododendron garden at 1 p.m. All t urs begin at the F. M. Wilkins Shelter at 2200 Summit Avenue and last about an hour. ~ A rding to park gardener Ginny Alfriend, the rhododendron blossoms are especially vibrant and early this year. "We've had just the right mix of sun and rain for a great bloom." Though th rhododendron garden was hit hard by the storm this winter, Alfriend is seeing oonsiderab a re-growth. "Gardens after all, are not static works of art. Every year is different- ; uniquely ti d to the cycle of life, and every year seems more beautiful than the last." She also reports tha the native plant garden is maturing. "The borders are starting to fill in with wild roses, and fie osoberry trees have doubled in size." The native plant garden tour also includes a walk in t e woods to see the native wildflowers that are emerging in areas recently cleared of ivy. , St rdy walking shoes are recommended. The wildflower tour travels through the area around the shelter and info an area of the forest that was recently cleared of ivy on gravel or wood chip aths. The rhododendron tour walks through the hillside garden on groomed gravel paths that re largely accessible to people using wheelchairs. Pets are not allowed. Pa ing is limited at the park; alternative transportation is strongly encouraged. To visit the park b bus, take the #27 Fairmount route to Walnut and 17"', walk south to Fairmount, and continue o e block, then turn east on Summit and walk up to the top of the hill where you will see the W Ikins shelter. For more information or special accessibility accommodations, call 682- ; 5324 or vi it www.ci.eugene.or.us/parks/hendricks.