MARCELLUS — On Sunday, May 9, from 10 to 4 p.m. the annual Mother’s Day Garden Tour returns at Sycamore Hill Gardens, 2130 Old Seneca Turnpike in Marcellus.
For 20 years, Central New York families have been bringing their mothers out to Marcellus for an afternoon of fresh air and a stroll through the private gardens of the Hanford family at Sycamore Hill Gardens. At this year’s self-guided event, families can sign up their immediate household members and tour the property to delight, marvel, and gather inspiration from the 40+ acres of carefully tended gardens.
Along the grassy paths, guests can view over 700,000 flowering bulbs and hundreds of varieties of trees and shrubs. A large pond boasts colorful koi fish, a soaring fountain, and giant stepping stones. Dozens of unique statuaries are tucked away throughout the gardens and guests are sure to find beautiful scenery at every turn. A bell garden entices children to bang the gongs and gently set the windchimes in motion on the breeze. A life-size, one-acre maze made from over 1,200 emerald arborvitaes sets the stage for an adventurous journey to discover what’s hidden within.
Families are invited to bring a picnic lunch, lawn chairs and blankets. Food can be enjoyed away from the paths throughout the gardens and the patio will be reserved for any accessible seating needs. This year Baltimore Woods Nature Center will also be offering a raffle with several local prizes that guests can enter to win! Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, golf cart tours will not be available this year and there will be limited capacity in the maze. Those with limited mobility are welcome to bring mobility scooters for use on the stone dust paths and lawn areas.
Tour tickets are just $8 through May 7 and children ages 8 and under are admitted free. This year there is a new ticketing option, a Family 4-pack of tickets for $24. All tickets will be sold online only at baltimorewoods.org. No cash sales. Pre-sale capacity is limited. Event day online ticket availability not guaranteed due to capacity restrictions. In order to speed up the entry process, guests will be asked their preferred entry time when they purchase tickets. The gardens will be open to explore until 4 p.m. Parking available across the street in the field; no pets allowed. All guests will be required to adhere to current COVID-19 safety guidelines, including completing a self- screening before entering the gardens and wearing masks during entry, exit, and whenever physical distancing isn’t possible.
All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Baltimore Woods Nature Center, located just around the corner from Sycamore Hill Gardens. Baltimore Woods is a 182 acre preserve offering a place to connect with nature through year-round public programs, summer day camps, community events, and over six miles of hiking trails that are open to the public every day of the year with free admission.
A community resource for over 50 years, your support of this event helps Baltimore Woods Nature Center to maintain the preserve and continue to provide environmental education across Central New York for all ages, in all seasons.
Submitted photos
The long running Mother’s Day garden tour at Sycamore Hill Gardens returns this year.
