New flowers, foliage and landscaping will enhance the curb appeal of nineteen homes along Buffalo’s North Parade at the conclusion of the first ever National Buffalo Garden Festival Front Yard Garden Competition. Set in the historic neighborhood surrounding Frederick Law Olmsted’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, these classic American homes dating from the turn-of-the-century will each receive a customized, one-of-a-kind makeover courtesy of the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association members. Each home will be paired with a professional landscaper who will come up with a design and planting plan that suits the homeowners tastes and the home’s style.

Set to kick off on Tuesday, July 6th, at 10 a.m., the Front Yard Garden Competition will find the landscapers at work throughout the balance of the week, with their efforts coming to a verdant conclusion on Saturday, July 10th. At that point, the public will be invited to visit the neighborhood, tour the gardens and cast a vote for their favorite garden makeover. Individual gardens will be honored with a variety of awards at the WNY State Nursery & Landscape Association annual picnic in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Wednesday, July 21st.

The Front Yard Garden Competition is part of larger initiative on the part of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy to beautify the area surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and is intended to leave a lasting imprint on this block of homes in a very visible location on Buffalo’s East Side.