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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Barb DeGroot, 952-443-1459 or via email: degro035@umn.edu
Media Alert: Summer Fun at the Arboretum
Chanhassen, MN (July 24) - These long, hot, hazy days of midsummer pose challenges for many Twin Cities families who by now have taken their road trips, done the beach thing and completed all those "summer to-do" lists. Before you sigh and proclaim, "It's all been done....bring on fall!," here are a few great ways to revive your summertime spirit. All that's required is a trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Upper Midwest's premier public garden, located on State Highway 5 in Chanhassen. See below for several fun events of interest to all age groups.
Meet the Plant Doctor
Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
"Plant doctors" from across the country will share their expertise with Arboretum visitors in this special event presented by the American Phytopathological Society and University of Minnesota Extension. Over 50 plant-disease experts will be stationed in the Arboretum Perennial Garden, Iris Garden, Shrub Rose Garden, Hosta Glade and throughout the grounds, as well as in the MacMillan Auditorium of the Oswald Visitor Center. Free with Arboretum admission.
"Treeology" 2008 Summer Exhibition
Now through Oct. 12
This family-friendly, interactive exhibition celebrates the beauty and wonder of trees. The exhibition comprises the Art 'n Trees Trail art walk featuring 18 juried works of interactive public art inspired by trees (with cell-phone audio tour); a "Tree-mendous Trees" walk encompassing favorite Arboretum trees (with cell-phone audio); the Tree Discovery Zone, a hands-on outdoor lab offering tips on tree care; and "Grown Home," a rustic river-birch abode with living willow furnishings.
Tree Care Advisors
Saturdays, July 26, Aug. 2, 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
As part of its Treeology summer exhibition, the Arboretum is hosting tree-care experts who will share their expertise with the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday in July and the first and third Saturdays in August through Oct. 4. They can be found in the Tree Discovery Zone right behind the Snyder Building and Oswald Visitor Center. Tree Care Advisors are provided by the University of Minnesota and S&S Tree Specialists. Free with Arboretum admission.
'Find Their Summer Haunts' Birding Walks
Saturday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 30, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Learn about Minnesota birds and their summer environs with an Arboretum naturalist. Meet in Ordway parking lot. Fee is $5, payable at Oswald Visitor Center.
Weekend Family Fun: "Berry Delicious"
Saturdays and Sundays, July 5-27; noon to 4 p.m. (drop-in basis)
Celebrate the flavor of summer with "berry" fun family activities. Marion Andrus Learning Center.
Tunes and Tales in the Trees (every Thursday evening)
Thursday, July 31, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Enjoy the stilt-walking antics of Chicks on Sticks in this family-friendly, live outdoor performance on the Trex Leaf Deck. Spread a blanket on our lawn and enjoy a picnic. You can pre-order a "flowerpot picnic lunch" by calling 612-624-7173 (two-day advance order preferred). Arboretum admission is free after 4:30 p.m. Thursdays. Future performances include: Playful Puppets with Minnetonka Center for the Arts on Aug. 7; Native Pride Dancer Larry Yazzie on Aug. 14; Jazz by the Heptones on Aug. 21; and Shoestring Puppet Theater on Aug. 28.
Permanent Maze Garden
Pine Tree Collection on Three-Mile Drive
Nestled in the Pine Collection on Three-Mile Drive, the Maze Garden sets a new standard in maze design. Designed by Northfield-based landscape architect and artist William Frost, the Maze Garden is actually made up of two different mazes: the main maze with an intricate network of passageways and 12 dead ends, and a simpler, shorter maze for younger children that features four tunnels and four dead ends that can be viewed from above so parents can keep an eye on their little explorers. A particularly unique feature of the Maze Garden is its continually changing design. Some of the walls are made of non-plant material, including panels of colored fabric, bamboo, and lattice. Other walls are made of combinations of deciduous and evergreen plants, so the look and feel of the Maze Garden constantly evolves as the plants mature. The maze is open daily and free with Arboretum admission.
Looking Ahead...Mark your calendars for the following August events:
Chanhassen Day, Friday, Aug. 1, free admission for Chanhassen residents and special events.
Co-sponsored by the City of Chanhassen with additional support from TCF Bank of Chanhassen.
"Prairie Natives" Weekend Family Fun: Saturdays & Sundays in August, noon to 4 p.m.. Fun family activities at the Marion Andrus Learning Center.
Cooking Class with Marshall Paulsen of Birchwood Café, several courses with wine, $50/$60; Thursday, Aug. 7, 6:30-9 p.m.: call 952-443-1422 to register. Sponsored by Kowalski's.
Eden Prairie Community Band Concert, Saturday, Aug. 9, 1-2:30 p.m. Trex Deck near Ordway lot.
Woodcarving Demonstrations, Saturday, Aug. 9, 1-4 p.m., Snyder Building terrace.
Wildflower Walks with Arboretum naturalist, Saturdays, Aug. 9 & 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Fee: $5.
FlowerFest Weekend (two popular indoor flower shows by Arboretum Flower & Garden Show and Minneapolis Men's Garden Club), Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 16-17, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Birding Walks, Saturday, Aug. 16, & Wednesday, Aug. 27, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Ordway Parking Lot.
Cooking Class with Lucia Watson of Lucia's restaurant, several courses with wine, $50/$60; Thursday, Aug. 21, 6:30-9 p.m.; call 952-443-1422 to register. Sponsored by Kowalski's.
For more information about the upcoming events at the Arboretum, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu or call 952-443-1400. -END-
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest and a premier northern arboretum, is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota and serves as a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research, and public education. It is located 9 miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator. The Arboretum is disability accessible; the buildings and terraces are smoke free.
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Contact Barb DeGroot at 952-443-1459 if you'd like more information or to arrange an interview.
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