Brackenridge resident Colleen Ringler believes there are parts of the borough that deserve to be shown off.
A member of the Brackenridge Improvement Group (BIG), Ringler lobbied for the borough to join the Harrison Township Recreation Board for its annual Garden Stroll event this summer. The Tarentum Recreation Board has also jumped on board.
The tentative date for the inaugural combined event is Saturday, July 18.
“We’re all in,” Ringler said. “BIG’s main goal is to beautify our borough and showcase everything it has to offer. We believe this would be a wonderful way to do that.”
Harrison volunteers introduced the idea last year as a way spur community spirit.
The event showcased six gardens and lawns. Recreation board member Julia Strzesieski said the hope is to at least double that number this year and take viewers through neighboring communities.
She is seeking potential participants.
“We’d like to highlight the homes in our area whose homeowners put time and effort into the upkeep of their properties,” she said.
“Our definition of garden is broad — any outdoor living space could be included, such as a cozy fire pit area.”
Attendees might also get ideas for their own gardens, she said.
Sue Vertosick, who lives on Union Avenue in the township’s Natrona Heights section, is an avid gardener who loves sharing thoughts on selection and placement. She participated last year, showing off her gardens with their bricked pathways and whimsical metal ornaments.
“Touring gardens — both public and private — is a great way to learn about plants and design, and there is always something new to learn when you’re working outside,” she said.
“It gives me a chance to share what I’ve done and hear what others’ experiences have been.”
A map will take people on the self-guided stroll.
Gardens featured on the tour don’t have to be professionally planted, they should just show the homeowner’s flair.
Carrie Fox, Tarentum councilwoman and recreation board president, loves the idea of expanding the event into the borough.
“It will give residents a chance to show off their growing season — it’s a passion to many,” she said. “Hopefully, Tarentum residents will be excited to participate.”
Ringler, too, said she hopes the event encourages Brackenridge residents to take pride in their properties.
“It’s an overall positive for the borough to be involved, so we’re very excited to participate,” she said.
Potential participants can reach out to the Harrison Township Recreation Board at harrisontownshiprb@gmail.com or to Julia Strzesieski at juliastrz0510@gmail.com.
Library offers free seeds
The Community Library of Allegheny Valley offers a Seed Library that is free for residents to get vegetable, flower and herb seeds for their yards and gardens.
The library is at 1522 Broadview Blvd., Harrison. For more information, call 724-226-3491.
