TONI EVANS
Visitors to the Motueka Toy Library Garden Trail enjoyed stunning private gardens, home baking and community connection over the weekend as supporters turned out in force for the annual fundraiser.
Alongside exploring the featured gardens, visitors had the opportunity to stop at the fundraising Garden Trail Café, where volunteers served up a range of homemade treats.
Alexandra Beiting, who ran the café with Emily Major, says support from the community was outstanding.
The café raised more than $2,800, with the event's overall fundraising total still to be confirmed once ticket sales are counted.
"We're very happy with the café's success," Alexandra says.
Plants for sale at the café also proved popular, with regular toy library supporter Oaklands contributing an additional $1 donation for every plant sold.
Now in her third year with the toy library, Alexandra says she loves everything about it and considers it a second home.
Her daughter Abigail, 3, happily accompanies her whenever volunteer work calls, making it easier to pitch in and help.
Alexandra visited four or five of the larger gardens this year, compared with just a couple last year. One standout was Kathy Askin's Ruby Bay property.
She was also particularly interested in Michael Edwardes' Pomona Road garden, where a former flat paddock has been transformed into a contoured landscape complete with ponds and other features.
Michael was happy to share details of the garden's development with visitors.
Among those enjoying the trail were Tatiana and Jim Beiting from Washington State, who described the gardens as "magnificent".
Highlights for the pair included a property with paradise ducklings on a pond and a large garden overlooking Tasman Bay.
The Garden Trail is the Motueka District Toy Library's major annual fundraiser, and organisers thanked the community for another successful weekend of fundraising and support.
