Aquascapes 17th Annual Parade of Ponds tour is the weekend of July 25 and 26. In addition to the 65 tour locations that will showcase a variety of water features, a special added bonus this year will be tours to Lakes of Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove, a community that will have received the “Extreme Green Community Makeover” the previous weekend.
For the first time ever, a neighborhood will be on display after being transformed by incorporating rainwater harvesting solutions, native plantings, pervious patios, LED landscape lighting and more.
The “greening” will be done by Aquascape contractors from across the nation. The Conservation Foundation will have certified yards that qualify for its Conservation @ Home program.
Ed Beaulieu, chief sustainability officer for Aquascape, and his wife Ellen, received an overwhelming response when they initiated the Extreme Green Community Makeover in their neighborhood.
“Neighborhoods created before the popularity of sustainable landscapes can be retrofitted to become environmentally friendly,” explains Beaulieu.
“Outdoor conservation efforts need not be limited to new construction sites. Our vision is to create a template for contractors or homeowner associations to implement in greening communities across
North America.”
The “Makeover” is part of this year’s Pondemonium®, an annual event of the water garden industry. Participation, to get hands-on training installing these ecofriendly projects, requires Pondemonium® registration.
For more information about the Extreme Green Community Makeover, go to www.aquascapeinc.com/pondemonium/e xtreme-green-community-makeover.
For additional information on Pondemonium® in general, visit www.pondemonium.org® or call (866) 877-6637.
The Pond Tour, covering 65 locations in the western Chicago suburbs, showcases a variety of water features, from decorative fountains to ecosystem ponds to rainwater harvesting systems, and more. Most of the water features are located in gardens of private residences.
The Tour is self-guided with maps and water feature descriptions in the 2009 Pond Tour $15 ticket booklet. Tour hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26.
Ticket booklets can be purchased at the Aquascape Water Gardening Store, 901 Aqualand Way, (St. Charles), Wannemakers, 1940 Ogden Ave., (Downers Grove); and Wild Birds Unlimited, 1601 Ogden Ave., (Lisle).
The Aquascape Water Gardening Store will be open with staff available to answer questions.
Tours of “AquaTerra,” the nearby home of Aquascape owner and CEO Greg Witt- stock, will be available only by exclusive shuttle departing from the store.
The Wittstock residence showcases a one-acre ecosystem pond, walking path through the impressive grounds, and a stunning Pondless® Waterfall located at the entrance to the home.
For more information on Aquascape’s 17th Annual Parade of Ponds and additional ticket locations, log onto www.acquascapedesigns.com or call (630) 659-2057. Continued in next column
