National Public Gardens Day, occurring annually on the Friday before Mother's Day, is a day to promote awareness of botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, historic gardens, or any of North America's public gardens. The day was established by the American Public Gardens Association, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization that supports, resources and promotes public gardens in North America.The American Public Gardens Association, American Public Gardens Association to Designate May 7, 2010, as the Second Annual National Public Gardens Day, APGA Press Release, 2010.
Activities Members of the American Public Gardens Association celebrated National Public Gardens Day beginning in 2009 with activities that varied by garden. The Atlanta Botanical Garden invited visitors to bring flowers so that they could be put into arrangements for patients and their families at Children's HospitalAtlanta On The Cheap. "50% off Admission to the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Friday & Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour this Weekend", . The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, asked visitors to pledge to conserve water, displaying 400 five-gallon water containers that pledgers could adopt. National spokesperson Paul James visited media gardens, speaking with the public and media about the role public gardens play in the local community.LaCrosse Tribune. "Don't Overlook Public Gardens." .
In 2010, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the importance of recognizing National Public Gardens Day, listing the US Botanic Garden and gardens in Illinois as examples.Congressional Record S3353. Recognizing National Public Gardens Day. May 6, 2010.
History Created in 2009, in partnership with sponsor, Rain Bird, as a way to increase public awareness of the educational resources public gardens provide to local communities, National Public Gardens Day was adopted by the members of the American Public Gardens Association, to highlight programs such as plant conservation, water conservation, the preservation of green spaces, and home gardening.
The national spokesperson for National Public Gardens Day was Paul James, host of HGTV's Gardening By The Yard.
Recognition National Public Gardens Day has been recognized by various levels of government: The City of Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Office of Mayor Michael A. Nutter, The City of Philadelphia, National Public Gardens Day Proclamation, May 8, 2009. The City of Dallas, TexasThe Office of Mayor Tom Leppert, The City of Dallas, "National Public Gardens Day Proclamation," May 8, 2009. The City of Belmont, North CarolinaDaniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden The State of DelawareThe Office of the Governor, Jack A. Markell, The State of Delaware, "National Public Gardens Day Proclamation," May 8, 2009. The Town of Framingham, MassachusettsThe Office of the Town Manager, The Town of Framingham, "National Public Gardens Day Proclamation," May 8, 2009. The State of California, State AssemblyState Assembly Member Adams, California State Assembly, "House Resolution #13", May 8. 2009. The State of California, Governor's OfficeThe Office of Governor Arnold Swcharzenegger, The State of California, "Commendation of National Public Gardens Day," May 8, 2009. The State of FloridaThe Florida State Senate, Senate 2816: Relating to National Public Gardens Day, 2010. The United States CongressThe Architect of the Capital, Resolution for National Public Gardens Day, US Congress, 2010.
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External links
American Public Gardens Association National Public Gardens Day on Twitter National Public Gardens Day on Facebook