Tour attracts hundreds to see homes, gardens of Fairview

Despite two hours of storms, approximately 350 garden enthusiasts poured into Fairview Park on Saturday for "Beyond the Garden Gate," the first Fairview Park Garden Club Home and Garden tour.

"I have a feeling we would have had more walk-ins if the weather cooperated in the morning. But we were delighted with the turnout," said event coordinator, Ann Kreps.

"I thought it went really well. I was amazed because it was the first time that Fairview Park had tried to do something like this. A lot of people were, I hope, inspired," said Bob Kunkle Jr., whose garden was the third stop on the tour.

The nine gardens on the tour were as diverse as the city itself, showcasing homes and gardens of many shapes and sizes and highlighting many of the city's neighborhoods. Also featured were the Emerald Necklace Inn and Bain Park Cabin. Four of the homes offered tours of the interior of their homes as well.

In addition to attracting many locals, the tour also brought in folks from Medina, Strongsville, Lorain, Hudson, Canton and all the surrounding suburbs, said Kreps.

Jan Black, who along with her husband Mike opened their garden to the tour, couldn't say enough about the event.

"It was wonderful . . . the people were unbelievably nice, even with the weather. They were so complimentary about the garden and about Fairview Park itself," she said.

One comment that stood out to Black came from a garden tour regular who said that of all the tours she had gone to, this was the best because the whole city seemed to be involved, not just the garden club.

"Every single part of this community made this work. I am just so happy to live here. These people are on top of everything. They are the friendliest, most efficient people of anyplace I have ever lived," said Black, a 10-year Fairview Park resident....