Family outings: Garden in the Woods
By Carol Anne Geary Contributing Writer

Region - Garden in the Woods, the New England Wild Flower Society's nature sanctuary in Framingham, is showcasing a new display for its 75th anniversary this year, titled "Art Goes Wild." The exhibit, of works by landscape artist W. Gary Smith, incorporates plantings, sculpture forms and over 1,500 native plants.

On Sunday Aug. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m., there will be a family festival, "Meadow Madness," which highlights the exhibit. The festival will feature bees and butterflies with members of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club leading butterfly walks. There will be a meadow activity station with butterfly-themed crafts, and live caterpillar and lady bug releases will take place throughout the day. Beekeepers will also be on hand to share information about their work. At the interactive mini-dish garden park, visitors will be encouraged to make their own gardens and "Dani" a costumed character dressed as a monarch butterfly will greet families that day in the gardens.

Additional upcoming events at the Garden in the Woods will include an "Art Goes Wild" Gardener's Festival Saturday Sept. 15 and a Fall Family Festival Sunday Oct.14. The Fall Family Festival will celebrate the fall foliage season with crafts, shows and scavenger hunts. In 2008, the Big Bug sculptures (a favorite of my family), will return to the garden. That is something we will look forward to seeing again.

Admission to Garden in the Woods, located at 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham, is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children 6 to 18, and free for children under 6 and museum members. The garden is open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 31 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

More information can be found by calling 508- 877-7630 or at www.newenglandwild. org and search Garden in the Woods.