From among all the members who volunteer to open their yards to the public each year, a group is selected according to location, in an effort to create a circuit of ponds close enough to one another that they could all be visited within in few hours. Pond owners typically answer questions, give advice, offer shade and refreshments, and oftentimes put up displays detailing the pond's construction and inhabitants, seasonal photos of their project, and education information for distribution. Ponds on the tour can range in size from approximately 1600 gallons up to 11,000 gallons!

Tickets (maps) are typically sold through local nurseries, pet stores, and the like. Costs are usually $5 per person (free for kids 12 & under). The events are promoted in local newspapers, gardening radio shows, and the newsletters and bulletin boards that members can get the word to. 

All of this comes together to produce an educational and social experience that touches hundreds of people. From these, we donate at least 50% of the proceeds to a local non-profit group. In 1998 our donation went to the Desert Botanical Gardens, our 2000 proceeds benefited The Gilbert Riparian Institute, and 2001's proceeds were shared with the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Harper's Nurseries  1701 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix 602-264-5877

Harper's Nurseries  2529 N. Hayden, Scottsdale 480-946-3481

Harper's Nurseries  1830 W. McKellips, Mesa 480-964-4909

Dixileta Gardens        5335 E. Dixileta Dr., Cave Creek 480-563-8900

Sun Nursery             15815 N. Frank Lloyd Wright, Scottsdale (phone?)

Five Central-Phoenix ponds were lined up for the June 9th tour! The route traveled about 15 miles and is bounded by 35th Avenue, 68th Street, Northern and Camelback Roads. 

Our tour-hosts' backyards were be open and staffed (see description above) from 8:00am until 4:00pm. 

Tickets cost $5 per person (kids 12 and under FREE) and included a map, detailed directions, and descriptions of the individual ponds. Tickets were sold at the three Harper’s Nurseries in Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix, and at Baker Nursery also in Phoenix. Tickets were available beginning Saturday, June 2nd, and remained on sale until 2:30pm on the day of the tour.
 

2001's Tour proceeds were shared with the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. (A link to information about the Boyce Thompson Arboretum can be found on our resources & links page. Scroll up and look to the menu on the left to find a link to that page).
 

In 2000, one of the pond owners on the tour reported over 400 visitors to her pond alone! Overall, our membership forms were cleaned out, and we resorted to makeshift mailing lists for applications. At our next meeting, we welcomed 46 new households into the club! As had been previously voted upon by the membership, the Gilbert Riparian Institute was the recipient of our donation. In light of the great success of the Pond Tour and the health of our treasury balance, the membership voted to increase our donation to an even $1000.00!