Bike Milton to lead bicycle tour of Milton gardens as part of The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program.

The Garden Conservancy works to preserve America’s finest gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public. On Saturday, June 8, five Milton members of the Garden Conservancy will participate in the Open Days program, where members show their gardens to visitors.

Bike Milton, the Milton Bicycle Advisory Committee, in partnership with the Wakefield Estate, will lead a local community bicycle ride to visit the five Milton gardens. Traveling by bicycle is an excellent way to see more of the community, meet neighbors, enjoy the weather, get exercise and avoid parking hassles. The route has been designed to show off not only the featured gardens, but also local destinations that can be found by following Milton’s many bike lanes and bike routes.

The ‘Tour de Jardin’ ride will depart from the Trailside Museum parking lot on Route 138 at 9:45 AM. It will travel at a casual pace so people of all ages and abilities can participate. Admission is $5 per garden; proceeds will benefit The Garden Conservancy and the educational programs of the Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust. Tickets can be purchased at the Wakefield Estate, the first stop on the tour. The bicycle tour is expected to take about two to three hours and travel a total of about 12 miles. Refreshments will be served at the Wakefield Estate after the ride, and ride participants can also enjoy the Wakefield Estate’s ‘Dogwood Days’ event, a celebration of the Estate’s historic kousa dogwoods. Dogwood Days also includes a tree and plant sale, and will feature an informal dog show as part of the new ‘Dogs and Dogwoods’ event.

Bike ride participants must provide their own bicycles and wear helmets. If there is steady rain, the ride will be cancelled. Registration is requested. Email RSVP: info@bikemilton.org or call 617-980-7213. For more information about this event or bicycling in and around Milton, visit www.bikemilton.org .

Visitors can also tour the Open Days sites on their own schedule, between 10 AM and 4 PM. Reservations are not required and the Open Days program will be held rain or shine. Visitors can buy a book of tickets to all five gardens by starting their tour at the Wakefield Estate, 1465 Brush Hill Road, or pay $5 at each site. To see a list of the selected gardens and directions, see The Garden Conservancy’s website: www.gardenconservancy.org , or call the Wakefield Estate at 617-333- 0924.