Framingham, MA – New England Wild Flower Society announced its plans today for a Fall Family Festival to be held at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA, on Sunday, October 17, 2010, with special activities scheduled between noon and 4 p.m., rain or shine. Although there are several activities with a kid orientation, everyone can have fun at this festival while enjoying the many colors of fall foliage available at Garden in the Woods.
The date is set to coincide with the normal weekend for peak fall foliage. There will certainly be a vivid display. In the Garden, visitors can collect a rainbow of leaves. The Garden has a large collection of trees and shrubs which display reds, oranges, and yellows, and shades in-between. We don’t pick leaves in the Garden, but collect them from the Garden’s floor. There will be plenty for everyone. Hop Brook has a number of bridges which take the Hop Brook Trail across the waterway. Bring your camera to save the moment of a leaf spinning in the water and floating down stream.
Our new fall scavenger hunt invites participants to discover the colors, smells, and sights throughout the Garden. Stop by the Lily Pond and look for frogs, turtles, dragonflies, and more.
Find a leaf that is bigger than your hand. Where is a leaf with a skeleton showing through? Can you find a leaf with three colors?
Volunteers will be on hand to help visitors of all ages to create a leaf rubbing. With so many leaf shapes available, each design should be very different. Visitors can also make a mini-dish garden to take home and enjoy over the winter months.
Check out the brightly colored berries and other fruits on trees, shrubs, and smaller plants. Birds and other smaller animals need nourishment during the fall and winter. The bright reds and orange berries attract a number of animals which are fun to watch as they discover and feast on these fall treats.
Look for costumed characters in the Garden. They have stories to tell. Did that tree really walk down that path? Was it really talking to that group of people by the Idea Garden?
Bring a picnic and enjoy it on one of our many picnic tables in the picnic area. Leave time for one of the special fall foliage tours of the Garden. Regular admission prices apply for the Fall Family Festival.
Follow the progression of fall foliage at Garden in the Woods by visiting the Society’s website. Weekly fall foliage reports are posted at http://www.newenglandwild.org/visit/Garden-in-the-Woods/fall-foliage-report.html. It is surprising how fast the trees and shrubs change from the green column through the percentages to full color.
Founded in 1900, New England Wild Flower Society is the oldest plant conservation organization in the United States. The Society conserves and promotes the region’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. The Society owns and operates Garden in the Woods, a 45-acre public botanic garden in Framingham, MA, and Nasami Farm, a 75-acre native plant nursery in Whately, MA, as well as nine sanctuaries located in many parts of New England. For more information, visit newenglandwild.org. Garden in the Woods admission fees are $8 adults; $4 youths (3-18); $6 Seniors (65+); $6 Students (with identification).