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The Denver Garden Railway Association Will Host the National Garden Railway Convention being held July 6 – 11, 2015

Denver, CO

The Denver Garden Railway Association will host the National Garden Railway Convention
on July 6 – 11, 2015
at Denver’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.  The Convention website contains a preview video and more details.

A garden railway is a model railroad placed in an outdoor garden setting.  Trains can operate with either electricity or live steam and come in several sizes or “scales” with layouts being small or large, elaborate or simple.  Plants of all types are an integral part of a garden railway, and dwarf varieties along with pruning are often used to keep them in proper proportion. Other geographic features are used, such as water features to represent a lake or river, rocks for boulders, or tunnels through “mountains”.

This is a very fast growing hobby with the entire family being able to participate. There are more than 21,000 garden railway enthusiasts and 110 clubs in the just United States.

While the convention is open to all, the public is specifically invited to visit the Convention on Saturday July 11. Visitors will be able to see two operating display layouts including one operating miniature live steam miniature locomotives. In addition, they can talk with members of the Garden Railway community as well see many products and services for the hobby.  There will be an admission charge of $5.00 per family so Dad, Mom and the kids can inexpensively enjoy a unique opportunity.

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Over 1,000 attendees have registered for the Convention with 42 states represented including Alaska and Hawaii, 4 Canadian provinces, Australia, Germany, England, Switzerland, Scotland and Austria. During the 6 days of the Convention, there will be 63 Garden Railroads to visit as well as trips to several Colorado Railroads and Attractions. There will be a buffet dinner and banquet, both with Entertainment. Over 59 firms that sell goods and services to garden railroaders will be attending as well.

Founded in 1979, the Denver Garden Railway Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education, promotion and enjoyment of all aspects of garden railroading.

Nominated by the Colorado Federation of Garden Clubs Inc., Brian Vogt, a native of Colorado, is a writer, popular speaker, artist, gardener and hiker, whose civic involvement and many roles in community leadership and public service in Colorado and the city of Denver spans over 25 years. He serves as chief executive officer at Denver Botanic Gardens www.botanicgardens.org, which offers a unique garden visitor-friendly experience through world-class education and plant conservation research programs. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the 24-acre Gardens is considered a pioneer in water conservation and its living collections encompass specimens from the tropics to the tundra, showcasing a plant palette chosen to thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Vogt has been instrumental in overseeing the garden’s historic $73 million capital campaign and subsequent build-out of its master development plan, including the addition of two new structures–the Science Pyramid and the outdoor Hive Garden Bistro–as well as the Ellipse garden, the rooftop Mordecai Children’s Garden, a new parking complex, the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center and the Greenhouse Complex. Situated in the middle of the Mile High City, Denver Botanic Gardens was one of the first gardens in the nation to emphasize native plants and to champion environmentally responsible practices, such as water conservation and the biological control of pests.

“Each year, NGC’s Award of Excellence recognizes exceptional individuals, organizations or institutions that have made significant contributions to their communities in such areas as environmental and civic responsibility, conservation, community beautification and promoting the love of gardening,” said Sandra Robinson, president, National Garden Clubs Inc. “By recognizing these deserving award recipients from different parts of the nation, NGC hopes to educate and inspire others in communities coast-to-coast.”

To read more about it, the other winners and how to apply, CLICK HERE.