Saturday, July 11th | A Garden Stroll in Upper Monroe

This is a fun, social stroll through the neighborhood looking at selected gardens and meeting their gardeners. This program was developed with support from the ABC Streets Neighborhood Association.

The Basics

DATE: Saturday, July 11, 2026

TIME: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

PROGRAM START LOCATIONS (PICK ONE): MAP LINK

When you check in you will receive a map with all of the garden locations highlighted along with additional information about the event, the gardens and the neighborhood.

• Laburnam Crescent next to Public School No. 35

  • A Garden Stroll "Check-in Tent" will be set up just outside the parking lot on Laburnam Crescent.

• Hinsdale Street Near Werner Park

  • A Garden Stroll "Check-in Tent" will be set on the grass on Hinsdale Street.

PARKING: PARKING MAP LINK

• FREE on-street parking is available on any side street. Please look closely at parking signs. Please do NOT block any driveways.

• Cobbs Hill Park (off of Culver Road)

• Wide Water Gardens (at the north end of Rosedale Street)

• Culver Road Armory (off of Culver Road)

• School #35 (from both Field Street AND Laburnam Crescent)

HOW IT WILL WORK:

Stop by EITHER ONE of the above two check-in stations (only ONE). You'll get a copy of the Garden Stroll map and related information at the check-in. The map will give you specific addresses for each garden; locations of entertainment sprinkled along the stroll; and other notable information.

This is a SELF GUIDED tour.

After you pick up your map at either of the above two check-in locations, you will determine your pathway. You will determine which gardens you visit. You will determine how long you stay at each garden you visit.

Gardener-hosts at each location will be sitting near their garden (either in the front yard OR in the back yard). You are encouraged to walk on onto their properties - both the front and back yards. Gardener-hosts will welcome a conversation and questions about their gardens and gardening in general.

At various locations nearby some of the gardens on the Stroll there will be musical entertainment or other forms of entertainment. In addition to private gardens there are numerous community gardens on or near the Stroll route. The largest will be Wide Water Gardens at the north end of Rosedale Street.

Background & Thanks

There are many neighborhoods around Rochester with lovely gardens that might be considered "garden districts". Upper Monroe certainly considers itself one of those areas. Indeed gardens, parks, wooded trails and even an old growth forest and Rochester's highest peak are all a part of the Upper Monroe neighborhood.

This program could not take place without years of commitment and months of preparation by our host gardeners: Lydia & Austen Crim; Elizabeth Forbes & Rome Celli; Elizabeth Goins & Adam Herdzik; Michael Hannen & Peter House; Pam Graham, James Kieliszek & Jen Lindsey; Kristy Liddell; Beth Jorgensen & Paul Watkins; Anne Punzi; Bruce Sanderson & Nicolas Ricketts; Meredith Blumoff Schwartz & Jeremy Schwartz; Jeanne & Paul Weber; Gail Weiser and the dozens of gardeners who support Wide Water Gardens. In addition, we thank all the neighbors who contribute to the six community gardens found in Upper Monroe. The UMNA team that supported this event included Patrick Casey, Rome Celli, Chuck DeLella, Michael Hannen, Peter House, Paul Kizior, Mary Pat O’Hara, Meredith Blumoff Schwartz, Rebecca Seal & Jeanne Weber.

Thanks to participating artists: Victoria Brzustowicz, Melanie Rinn Martinek & Jen Santoru as well as the musicians: Peter Carpenter, Evan Dobbins & Lucas Nasca. Thanks to Charlie Rosenberg & Kristin Bartolo Rapp for hosting the musicians.

Thanks Esther Brill, a founder and longtime organizer of “Garden Walk” in the nearby ABC Streets Neighborhood off Park Avenue, for support in developing “A Garden Stroll In Upper Monroe.”

If you have questions, please write to [e-mail]

Photos from an informal guided walking tour in 2025

o

A Garden Stroll in Upper Monroe was funded, in part, by a grant through the Neighbors in Action initiative organized by the City of Rochester. UMNA received a total of $3,000 through NIA for the programs provided during the 2026 season.

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.