Parade Of Ponds, Booklets On Sale; Proceeds To Benefit Local Charities

DANBURY — Booklets are on sale at various local charities and garden centers for the third annual Parade of Ponds, a self guided tour that will feature over 100 water gardens. This year’s event is Saturday and Sunday, July 10-11.

Donation is $20 per person, which will benefit a local charity. Each booklet contains the locations, directions and descriptions of the water gardens on this year’s tour.

“Our third annual Parade of Ponds is an exciting event,” said Brad Cooper of Cooper’s. “The attendees get to enjoy the landscaping and water gardens of the houses on tour, while the homeowners get to share their love of water gardening with other water garden enthusiasts all while helping the community.”

Water gardening has exploded into a logistical addition to a homeowner’s landscape. Many homeowners are deciding to install one, foregoing the typical pool or hot tub, which used to be very popular.

A few of the water gardens on the tour are actually converted pools. The owners decided they did not use their pools anymore, so they transformed them into water gardens. Believe it or not, if water gardens are built correctly, they are much easier to maintain, since they simulate nature.

A balanced system with fish, plants, rocks, as well as the proper filter and skimmer eliminates the need for chemicals or checking the pH levels.

To date, the charities that will benefit from the Parade of Ponds are Family & Children’s Aid, 748-5689; Western Connecticut Red Cross, 792-8200; and Waterbury Area Red Cross, 203-755-1137. Additional charities are always welcome to sell booklets.

For more information regarding this year’s Parade of Ponds, call Kelly Pacowta at 203-788-2028.