Tiny peaches dangled from tree branches. Water features gurgled. And bees buzzed in and out of their hive.
Garden-goers soaked in those sights and among others as they toured five Omaha gardens during the Munroe-Meyer Guild’s annual Garden Walk.
The walk, on June 14, drew about 1,300 guests. That is the largest turnout in the event’s 57-year history.
“We had a record-breaking Garden Walk this year,” said Jennifer Read, president of the Munroe-Meyer Guild. “The weather was on our side, providing the perfect backdrop for a wonderful day.”
Funds raised by the event support innovative programming and research at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.
The guild has used its fundraising to provide seed grant funding for successful MMI programs, including GoBabyGo! Nebraska, the Opportunity Brew Coffee Cart and the virtual-reality Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT) Camp.
Cars were lined up around the block near the first garden by the start of the walk. The grass was still covered in a layer of fresh morning dew as guests meandered through garden beds and admired the lakefront view.
Sharing their Candlewood Garden was exciting for Amy and Troy Schmidtke. The homeowners stood in their garden identifying plants and answering questions from guests.
“We love gardening,” Amy Schmidtke said. “We enjoy [the garden] every day. To have other people enjoy it, and for a great cause, it’s the best combination.”
The event drew guests of all ages. One young guest toddled through a garden with a baby doll in the crook of her arm.
The five gardens offered plenty of sights, including bird feeders, water features and decorative art tucked into the flower beds. Some gardens featured signage that read, “Pollinator Garden” and “Hare-Free Zone.” One homeowner offered seed packets for guests to take home. Live music at another garden added a special touch.
“We are grateful to everyone who helped make the event such a success,” Read said.
