Troy Hidden Garden Tour
May 23, 2024, 4 p.m - 7:30 p.m.

Popular Annual Event Promotes Socializing while Showcasing Livable City's Private Green Spaces

TROY (5/9/24) -- The Troy Hidden Garden Tour returns this month for its 25th Anniversary. 

The popular annual tour, a fundraiser organized by Friends of Prospect Park, will be held rain or shine on Thursday, May 23, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Last year, more than 1,200 people purchased tickets to self-guided walking tour.  

“One of the things about all the gardens, they are as different as the people that own them. They reflect quite a bit of personality, and you'll be surprised how different each one is,” said Peter Grimm, president of Friends of Prospect Park. “You'll also, I think, be very surprised to see the livability that is here in downtown Troy. Our gardens are kind of like these hidden spaces that become an extra room for us in the summer.”

Grimm is fond of noting that some tourgoers in the past have decided to move to Troy after experiencing the neighborhoods through the garden tour.

There are about 30 private and semi-private gardens on the self-guided walking tour this year, located throughout the Washington Park, Historic Sage and adjoining neighborhoods of downtown Troy. Tourgoers may check in any time after 4 p.m. in the Russell Sage College parking lot on First Street to receive the tour map.

The gardens may be visited in any order, though tourgoers may be steered toward certain gardens first to alleviate crowding early on. Since most tourgoers will not be able to make it to all the gardens during the event, there are suggested garden cluster tour routes between .5 miles and .8 miles walking distance. 

“One thing that really sets this garden tour apart is that Troy has all these alleyways lined by carriage houses that you walk through to get to the gardens, so it does feel like you are entering a secret place,” said Phyllis Conroy, chair of the Troy Hidden Garden Tour Committee. “Unless you live here, most people don’t ever see the alleys, which are very pleasant and peaceful to walk down to get to the gardens.”

Rotating & Changing Gardens

The Troy Hidden Garden Tour is different ever year. The total number and roster of gardens featured on the tour changes year-to-year. A garden featured on the tour previously may not be on the tour the this year. Even the gardens that are staples of the tour may appear different over the years as the owners make alterations. 

New this year, the Van Rensselaer Garden Club will be on the Hart Cluett Museum courtyard deck to give tips on “Thrillers, Spillers and Fillers” to fill your garden pots. A large assortment of perennials and containers will be available for sale.  

The Sage College President’s House garden will return to the tour this year, after several year’s hiatus from the tour. 

“The Troy Hidden Garden Tour is as much about socializing as it is about exploring the gardens,” said Rhe Potenza, whose garden is featured on the tour. “Everyone is in such a happy, friendly mood during the tour. People come every year to enjoy the atmosphere, the beautiful architecture, and to stop and smell the flowers. Come see what’s hidden behind all these charming brownstones!” 

Many scenes in HBO's "The Gilded Age" were filmed in the same neighborhoods as the Hidden Garden Tour. 

Live Music

Once again, a soothing flute quartet will perform from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the check-in area followed by a high-energy percussion performance by Troy Samba. 

Start Early at Troy Public Library 

Stop by the Troy Public Library at 2 p.m. before the tour starts and learn how garden art has evolved over the centuries as well as how to use decorative pieces in your garden to make your gardens extraordinary.

Denise Maurer, a master gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County, will give an informational talk titled “Elevate Your Garden: The Art of Decorative Landscaping.” Maurer recently retired as owner and principal designer of Denise Maurer Interiors, a 38 year-old residential design firm.

Stay for Restaurants and Businesses

Many tourgoers stay in Troy afterwards to dine at one of the many restaurants downtown and in adjacent neighborhoods. 

Parking

Free event parking is provided at the Russell Sage College lot, located at First and Division streets. Additional free parking is available in lots farther south on First Street.

Access

Wheelchair and stroller access is limited. Please do not bring dogs into the private gardens.

Tickets:

Admission to the Troy Hidden Garden Tour is $20 in advance and $25 at check-in. 

Advance tickets are available online at: https://www.hiddengardentour.com/tickets

Or you can purchase advance physical tickets at Truly Rhe (1 Broadway). 

About Friends of Prospect Park

The Hidden Garden Tour is presented by The Friends of Prospect Park, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All proceeds from the Hidden Garden Tour benefit ongoing improvement projects in Prospect Park, located on Congress Street in Troy.

Since 1996, The Friends of Prospect Park have worked to enhance enjoyment of the Park through annual brush-ups, playground improvements, updated signage, increased musical programming, bulb and tree plantings, new benches, with further upgrades planned.

For information, visit: https://www.hiddengardentour.com

Connect on social media at https://www.facebook.com/HiddenGardensTroy/ or https://www.instagram.com/troyhiddengardentour/ (@troyhiddengardentour )

Media Contact: Duncan Crary (518) 274-2723 DCC@DuncanCrary.com