The West Avenue Improvement Association (WAIA) is pleased to announce its 74th Annual Garden Tour. The WAIA, established in 1941, is the oldest neighborhood association in Richmond, VA. It was established to organize residents to work together in order to rid the alleys surrounding West Avenue of a pesky rodent problem. Once that task was completed, the neighbors decided that they wanted to do something as a group that would be more cheerful and inspirational. They hit upon the idea of organizing an alley and garden clean-up and beautification activity; followed by a hotdog party, all capped off with a garden tour. The tour includes homes on West Avenue as well as the alley bordering homes on Park Avenue and Franklin Streets.
In 1966, famed landscape designer, Charles Gillette worked with some residents to develop garden judging criteria and judging awards were added as part of the annual events. This criterion is still used today by the judges who evaluate the gardens. The WAIA sponsors this event through membership dues and events such as the silent auction held each year at the association’s spring cocktail party.
The Garden Tour preparation begins months ahead of the event, but officially begins the weekend before the tour where residents gather in the alley for Alley Cleanup. Both young and old pitch in with rakes and brooms to clear the alleys of winter debris and trash. That evening a Hot Dog Party is held for the residents to celebrate the success of the cleanup and to reward the children who helped. Residents labor intensively to get their gardens ready to be judged the following Saturday morning by three independent judges. That evening, the winners of the garden awards are announced at the association’s cocktail party. The Garden Tour, held the next day, begins with a Children’s Parade of Garden Tour Flags. After the parade, the children deliver the flags to the winning houses where they may be flown for the remainder of the year. The association hosts activities and games for the children prior to the opening of the gardens. During the tour, two refreshment tables are set up offering visitors home-baked cookies and lemonade.
The Garden Tour is free and open to the public and showcases what can be accomplished in a limited amount of space. These unique gardens reflect the personal tastes of each resident and offer inspiration to those who visit them. Please come out and help celebrate this annual passage to spring with us.
The gardens are open from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, April 27th.
Directions to West Avenue are available on the association’s website www.westave.org
Free parking is available in the St. James parking deck located on Franklin Street.
