Portland Parks & Recreation’s Community Gardens program is offering its annual free guided tour of six gardens throughout the city on Saturday, July 18. From 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, participants can join PP&R Community Gardens staff and learn about various gardening techniques, examine water catchment systems, and view edible greenspaces.

The guided tour will take participants by van and carpool to see community gardens at Gabriel Park (Southwest 41st and Canby), Col. Summers Park (Sotheast 20th and Taylor), Sewallcrest Park (Sotheast 31st and Market), Brentwood Park (Southeast 57th and Cooper), Woodlawn Park (7200 N.E. 11th), and Hazelwood Hydro Park (Northeast 117th and Holladay), in east Portland. The tour leaves from PP&R’s Mt. Tabor Central Maintenance Yard at 6437 SE Division Street at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 18.

The Portland Water Bureau is planning the planting of about 47 new trees in the existing Hazelwood HydroPark, according to spokesperson Darcy Cronin.

The planting will include 25 large species, eight feet tall at the time of planting that include Douglas firs, ponderosa pines, big leaf maples and Oregon oaks, plus a dozen fruit trees, Cronin said. They will all be planted on Feb. 28 on the north side of the park.

At a community fair at the park in east Portland last summer, several people noted a lack of shade in this part of the park. Hazelwood HydroPark is at 1017 NE 117th. Ave.

The Portland Community Gardens program has scheduled an organizational meeting about the new community garden to be installed this spring at the Hazelwood HydroPark at N.E. 117th Avenue and Holladay Street.

The meeting is today, Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the East Portland Neighborhood Office, 1017 NE 117th Ave., adjacent to the Hazelwood HydroPark.

Anyone interested in the design and layout of the community garden, or who might be interested in renting a plot there once it’s constructed is encouraged to attend.

Hazelwood Neighborhood Association activist Linda Robinson, Chair of Parks, Open Space and Environment Committee is in charge of this effort. To reach her call 503-261-9566, or e-mail her at lrobins@pacifier.com.