Sunday Fun: A Tour of America's Largest 'Garden Walk' Event

Garden Walk Buffalo began in 1995, and in 2017 it's the largest Garden Walk event in the country.

1 minute read

September 3, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Blogger Diana, of the blog Garden with Diana, was recently in Buffalo to tour the Garden Walk Buffalo event.

The first Garden Walk Buffalo was held in July, 1995 after two Buffalonians attended a garden tour in Chicago and thought it could work in their city. This year, eighteen different garden walks began in the Buffalo area on June 17 and concluded on August 5. Garden Walk Buffalo was the 17th garden walk – America’s largest – and more than 400 residents opened their gardens to tens of thousands of visitors from all across the country.

After attending this one-of-a-kind celebration, Diana listed these big takeaways from the experience:

  • Buffalonians may be the friendliest people in the country;
  • Individuals can make an enormous difference;
  • Small actions create considerable momentum; and
  • Gardens can save a city.

That sounds like the kind of results planners in cities and communities of all shapes and sizes can get behind.

Diana's post also includes a ton of pictures from beautiful gardens around the city—highlights include the garden at Darwin Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Buffalo's Parkside Community, itself designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Sunday, August 27, 2017 in Garden with Diana

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic