Merion Village Gateways Initiative is a comprehensive study undertaken as a collaboration between the Merion Village Association and the Neighborhood Design Center. The purpose of this study is to identify locations to install Merion Village signage and public art, in an effort to build social and economic value in our community. The details of the study will be made public at this meeting.

ALL MERION VILLAGE RESIDENTS & BUSINESS OWNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. SHARE YOUR IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF MERION VILLAGE

For more information contact:
bdoughton@merionvillage.org

We look forward to seeing you there!

• The MVA will contribute burgers, buns, and condiments
• The residents on Gates are contributing grills and additional supplies
• There will be live music and split-the-pot corn hole tournament
• Attendees are requested to bring a side dish to share
• Bring your own drinks
• The Red Brick Inn will also be open for the event

There are 10 fabulous gardens this year, ranging from larger, more expansive gardens, to smaller, more intimate settings. Whether you come to get ideas for your own garden, to explore our historic streets and homes, or to just enjoy the day outdoors, you are sure to enjoy our annual summer tradition.

11th Annual Merion Village Garden Tour Brunch

For those homeowners on tour and ALL Merion Village Association members, remember our Pre-Tour Brunch on Saturday July 10. Always a wonderful affair, a great tradition, and fabulous food. This years hosts are Brad & Todd at 1295 City Park Avenue. Brunch hours are 10a.m. to 12:30p.m. Guests are asked to bring a covered dish. This is a great way to meet your neighbors in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending.

For more information contact: gardentour@merionvillage.org or call: 614.444.3144

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MERION VILLAGE ASSOCIATION

Download the tour map.
Download the press release
Preview the gardens.
View all Garden Tour Related Posts.

James Chakeres & Robert McDannold

402 Reinhard is a small property that is bursting with life throughout the gardens. Originally a rental, gardening was confined to containers and annuals. When the house was purchased in 2006, the door opened to permanent improvements and plantings. The old backyard deck was removed and a brick paved patio and walks were installed. Japanese Maples, Redbuds and River Birch found permanent homes. When Mother Nature came calling, a Bradford Pear and a very old Cherry tree were lost, but allowed the front bed to transform into a sunny perennial garden. We often garden (plant) outside of our USDA Hardiness Zone. As a southern specimen, the Crepe Myrtle soaks up sun from a large container in the side yard. The backyard is a shady oasis, featuring over 100 Hosta varieties (in ground & containers) and many Coleuses. Patio containers are still in the mix, and a sharp eye might identify containers bound for the horticulture competition at the 2010 Ohio State Fair. Our garden is an ever-evolving labor of love, with Jim providing the green thumb and gardening skill and Mac happily handling the watering chores and soaking up the compliments from passersby!

154 Hanford Street

Ken Jenkins & Chad Williams

This garden was designed to be low maintenance, user friendly and ‘green’ with no grass and only shrubs and planting materials. There is a newly constructed front retaining wall with an elevated entrance. The 2 front tress are Flowering Crab Apples with white blossoms. Boxwoods across the front porch and retaining wall frame the front garden with white Lilies and white Knockout Roses. The house was then surrounded using Myrtle which blooms with blue flowers in the spring. The back garden was designed for entertaining. The paved patio with 2 raised beds allows for some dimension while there are level beds surrounding the patio. A fountain was installed and Hostas were placed in the shaded areas with Hydrangea, Pencil Holly, Azaleas, Viburnum and an ornamental Cherry tree in the back. Perennials have been incorporated with the shrubs and all annuals placed in containers to allow easy care. Landscape lighting has been added to enhance evening gatherings. This garden is in it’s first year, so this is a work in progress, and with time, additional elements will be added. A small vegetable garden includes tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.

This home is a ‘new build’ home in Merion Village. The original home caught fire and was burnt beyond repair. After being demolished, this new energy efficient single story home was constructed in 2009. The home was built by Schumacher Homes and they have an ‘Energy Star’ certification. The home meets and exceeds all current standards required for energy efficiency. Elements include: double pane insulated windows, wood vinyl construction, upgraded insulation, high efficiency furnace, house wrap, poly seal package and energy efficient HVAC ducts. The house also is equipped with an ‘on-demand’ water heater.

329 East Whittier Street

Liz Viering & Chris Lamb

This garden was started 6 years ago and is, as all gardens are, a work in progress. The front planting beds flanking the entry feature a wide variety of Hostas, as well as many other varieties of shade loving plants. The colorful window boxes serve as a focal point and accent the front elevation of the residence. As you enter the backyard, classic gives way to casual chic with vintage furniture. An organic stone patio was installed last year to reflect a forest floor, and a sitting area and fire pit are the centerpieces of the backyard space. Decorative trees grace the backyard to enhance the forest theme. The garden showcases a mixture of perennials, colorful annuals and bulbs. Calla lilies in containers steal the show.

338 Siebert Street

Kevin Hite & Brian Misencik

This landscaping was designed to enjoy a perfect summer Sunday. Start the day on the wrap around porch, with your coffee and paper, overlooking Endless Summer and Annabelle Hydrangeas. The side yard showcases a new pergola, ideal for a light lunch, surrounded by a variety of garden perennials, annuals and a Twisted Baby Locust tree, newly planted this spring. Vintage hydrangeas and an assortment of roses lead you to the back garden. Sunday dinner is hosted beneath the majestic pine tree, beside plants in shades of white that glow in the moonlight. The evening ends on the second story balcony among potted palm trees and annuals.

212 Hanford Street

Lindamarie Donley & Mary McKee

The gardens were featured on the 2006 Merion Village Garden Tour, then in their early stages as a concept of creating a palette of texture and colour.

Four years later we have a backyard escape in the inner city.

Our little piece of paradise that includes Hostas, Lady’s Mantle, Bleeding Hearts, Concord grapes and many other perennials accented with annuals.

238 Markison Avenue

Mrs. Sarah Miller

My garden was on the 2001 Merion Village Garden Tour, but much has changed in 10 years. Trees have matured and what was a sunny garden now has much shade. I have also incorporated more veggies and herbs. An old ‘ash pit’ has been restored but now serves as a compost bin. The garden shed is still a ‘getaway’ craft area. The pond got smaller thanks to a ‘raccoon renovation’ The stone wall by the driveway has been added and the rock garden modified. Change is the name of the game in gardens.

1382 City Park Avenue

Chuck Miller & Doug Dupler

This enchanting garden was on the 1st Merion Village Garden Tour. Around this 1909 cottage, the garden landscape reflects a Victorian period, both in front and back. The front yard is enclosed by an iron fence entwined with Clematis. Entrance into the yard through an iron gate is graced by 2 iron urns that greet guests. White wicker furniture welcomes guests onto the front porch supported by 2 columns and hanging Boston Ferns. An assortment of period plants, lilies and foliage lead visitors through a wisteria covered arbor into the back garden. This section, surrounded by a privacy fence, is a paradise of Hostas, Purple Sage, Darmera Peitate, Angelica, climbing roses, Purple Smoke Bushes, Butterfly Bushes, Montauk Daisy, Flowering Pear, Red Maple and Pine trees. Victorian trellis accent the garden along with pots filled with herbs and flowers. A 6ft. iron fountain dominates this garden. An assortment of iron furniture and a deck with urns filled with Areca Palms provide a relaxing environment next to the hot tub.

34 East Gates Street

Ron & Donna Solove

A mature, primarily shade garden featuring a substantial collection of Hostas, a wide variety of shade loving perennials, 2 unique Japanese Maples, and a garden railroad surrounding a farmstead and miniature evergreen trees. This garden is also certified as a wildlife and bird habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The ‘Lady in Black’ , a metal sculpture installation, stands as sentinel over the backyard. Integrated throughout the backyard are also some eclectic items of ‘Americana’ and folk art. Upon some exploring, the casual visitor will enjoy this scrapbook of organic landscaping elements combined with inorganic items and the unique texture and personality it conveys.

Hanford & Bruck Streets

Moeller Park

The summer of 2010 is like every year in Moeller Park because it’s different….again!

One of the first projects of the year was the removal and replacement of the crabapple trees that lined Frebis Avenue. The original trees had become so chronically afflicted with a host of diseases that it was decided that replacement with resistant trees was the best route to take. The new trees are known as ‘Prairiefire’ Crabapples and are touted as being the most disease resistant currently available. Thank you to Bill Doughton, Dell Pipis of the Red Brick Tavern, Linda Watkins, Joanne Mase, Martin Cataline, Kristin Welker and Greiner Landscaping for their donations of money and labor.

Another addition to our little urban eden is the small sculpted bed behind the new Bruck Street bench. We did not replace the trees removed from the Frebis Avenue rose bed to allow for even more light, growth and balance in the bed. Having done that, we looked for logical places to locate new trees. The bench at Bruck Street was a perfect spot in need of the shade and color that the tree and 3 double pink roses provide. Again, all are of the highest disease resistance possible to hopefully eliminate any need for future spraying. 3 new shade trees have been added to the NE quadrant of the park in the past year as well.

Also of interest this season is the Hanford & Bruck sign bed. The ‘Navajo Blanket’. A very different look this year due the addition of many wheelbarrow loads of heavy soil mixed with peat and bags of nutrients. The bed has a mounded elevation to better display the flowers. The sedum spent the winter in pots while we reworked the space, and by the look of them are very happy to be home.

1330 South Fourth Street

The Merion Village Information Center

Located in the geographic center of Merion Village, the Info Center serves as ‘Tour Headquarters’. MV representatives will be on hand to answer questions about our neighborhood, and our future. Food – refreshments – garden items – plants for sale & raffle will be available at this location. Also, air conditioning and a restroom are available. Ample parking. Please stop by and learn more about Merion Village. The center will be open from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

As always, ALL tour locations will be marked by large yellow banners. Also at each site, a crowd favorite, are vintage automobiles, courtesy of Mr. Steve Wagner, a Merion Village resident. Recycling containers will be at each tour garden and throughout the area. Tour programs and maps will be available at all locations. Gardens may be visited in any order. Please enjoy your own pace.

Ken Fultz is employed by the City of Gahanna as head of the Building and Zoning Division, and serves as the City’s Chief Building Official. He currently serves in that capacity while overseeing all the commercial and residential construction within the City. Ken holds the professional degree of Architectural Engineering from Penn State. He also studied at the Universities of York and Leeds in England studying engineering and architectural design, town planning and medieval architecture. Ken is a member of the Central Ohio Code Officials Association, Ohio Building Officials Association, National Fire Prevention Association, and the International Code Council.

1. Download an application to be listed on the official Merion Village Yard Sale map.
2. Drop off or mail your application to the Merion Village Information Center at 1330 South Fourth St. Make sure that it is to the Information center by Friday April 30th at 5:00 P.M. (Please highlight items that will entice “oohing” and “ahhing” on your application)
3. Gather stuff from every nook and cranny of your house, garage, or shed (Feel free to raid your family or friends’ houses, too).
4. Price your stuff and set up on the morning of Saturday May 8th.
5. Barter, haggle, unburden and make money!

Interested in showcasing your garden? Please click on the logo to download a copy (PDF) or click here. Applications are due by Friday May 28, 2010 at 5:00 P.M. Please mail or deliver your application to the Merion Village Information Center on Fourth Street.

Winners will be announced and awards presented this Wednesday December 9 at the Merion Village Holiday Potluck!