2025 October 19: Fall Social + Plant Exchange

This year we are expanding our popular fall “Plant Exchange” to include a bunch of fun fall related social activities to help our neighborhood blossom and grow in new ways.

Bring the whole family

This year we are adding seasonal nibbles, pumpkin decorating and storytelling to this fun fall social activity.

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Photos From The Event

Event Basics

• LOCATION: Wide Water Gardens - 345 Rosedale Street <MAP LINK>

• DATE: Sunday, October 19th

• TIME: 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm

• WHO: This activity is FREE and open to all neighbors and members of the public. You do not have to be a member of the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association or Wide Water Gardens to participate.

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• Plant exchange activities will take place from 1:00-3:00 pm. See details below.

• Pumpkin decorating (painting as well as carving for all ages)

  • We’ll have about 20 pumpkins and decorating supplies. However, you are welcome to bring your own supplies/pumpkins.

• Heathy snacks, sweets and cider will be available while supplies last

• Presentation: Beekeeping in Wide Water Gardens by Jim Carter

• Storytime: Fun Halloween themed stories by Monroe Branch Library

The UMNA Fall Social event is a collaboration between the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association and Wide Water Gardens.

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How the plant exchange will work

DESCRIPTION: Bring a plant. Take a plant. Participants DO NOT have to donate plants in order to bring plants home with them.

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• Donated plants will be displayed in a designated area of Wide Water Gardens

• The Plant Exchange + Cider Social will be open to Upper Monroe neighbors and members of the public starting at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 19th.

• Upper Monroe neighbors and members of the public may take plants for their private homes & gardens until the Plant Exchange + Cider Social ends at at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 19th.

• Donors may return at Sunday, October 19th at 3:00 pm to pick up any leftover plants.

• Plants that are not picked up at Sunday, October 19th at 3:00 pm will be composted or used in Wide Water Gardens beds, if appropriate.

Additional guidance

• Donated plants should be clearly labeled.

  • Please note if your donation is a decorative yard plant or an edible vegetable plant and/or the particular type of plant/vegetable you are donating. (Example, "Rose".)

• Basic care/placement notes are encouraged but not required. (Example, "Likes shade.")

• Donated plants must be prepared so the recipient can transport the plant easily and without any additional care. Plant containers don’t need to be pots, recycled containers or plastic cups could work just as well.

• Invasive species are problematic. It's easier to avoid planting invasives than it is to remove them later. Click on the link below to learn more.

ARTICLE: Here’s What to Plant in Fall for a Beautiful Blooming Spring Yard

6MB

Invasive Species NYS DEC Brochure.pdf

PDF

Open

If you have questions, please write to [email protected].

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This program is free and open to the public. Anyone can come! You do not have to be a member of UMNA to participate.

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A portion of the funding for this program is provided by the NIA program facilitated by the City of Rochester.

About Neighbors In Action (NIA)

Neighbors In Action (NIA) was launched by the City of Rochester in September 2024. In January 2025, the City was joined by partners Rochester Area Community Foundation and ESL Federal Credit Union to help fund and administer the program.

NIA, pronounced "NEE-uh," offers small grants, up to $10,000 each, empowering residents to come together and take purposeful action toward strengthening and improving their neighborhoods.

The initiative is based on Neighbors Building Neighborhoods (NBN), begun in 1996 by former Rochester Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. NBN was recognized nationally as a model for government and civic partnerships that inspired and supported hundreds of projects across the city that ranged from beautification initiatives to enhanced public safety.

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This program is also listed on our Google Calendar. CLICK HERE to go to the official UMNA Events Calendar.