Garden aficionados will get a chance to tour some North Side urban gardens Saturday June 30th while at the same time helping to fund Northside Common Ministries. The annual walk raises money to help provide food and shelter for homeless men.
The tour leaves from the group's Food Pantry and Homeless Men's Shelter and wraps up in West Park with a concert featuring local band the Whiskey Holler.
Jay Poliziani, Director of Northside Common Ministries, said they have taken a new approach this year to what was previously known as the Shelter Walk. "It's never been very large because there are so many other walks happening, and it's hard to compete against, so we're trying something a little different with a different spin to try to bring more attention and also to highlight the beauty of the North Side that many folks outside the North Side don't realize is here," Poliziani said.
Participants can choose from a 1K, 3K, or 5K walking route. Poliziani said there will be a wide variety of gardens to explore along the way. "One of the gardens is going to be a place that everything in there is completely edible. One is where chickens are raised in the city. Another one uses rain barrels, so there will be a lot of different learning opportunities as well," said Poliziani.
Participants are encouraged to pre-register but can register the day of the event.
Poliziani said the event is open for everyone to enjoy. "Last year a lot of folks brought their animals along. There are lots of children that come each year, and a lot of the folks here in the neighborhood and folks from out in the suburbs that may not be familiar with some of the treasures that are over here in North Side," Poliziani said.
