CAPE ELIZABETH — The ninth annual Cape Elizabeth Garden Tour drew more than 400 visitors and raised $45,000 for Friends of Fort Williams Park, helping to ensure that the nonprofit’s work in one of Maine’s most beloved natural treasures will continue.

Held on July 20, the garden tour featured eight private gardens in Cape Elizabeth and South Portland and covered a wide array of styles, from small condominium accent gardens and historic homes to large oceanside properties and lighthouse views. Visitors enjoyed a sunny summer day perusing the gardens, conversing with docents and garden owners, and enjoying free gifts provided by sponsors.

“We are grateful to the many people who contribute their gardens, their volunteer time, their sponsorships, and their advertising dollars to make the Garden Tour a success year after year,” said Garden Tour Chair Lynn Shaffer in a press release. “Next year should be the best yet, as we will go all out to celebrate our 10th annual tour.”

Home of Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in New England, Fort Williams Park encompasses 90 acres of rugged beauty on Casco Bay and contains a museum, picnic areas, historic military structures, and miles of trails providing stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular and iconic visitor experiences in Maine.

Friends of Fort Williams Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Cape Elizabeth that is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural resources and visitor experience of Fort Williams Park by providing planning and stewardship for projects that support the park’s ecology, accessibility and open space.

The Cape Elizabeth Garden Tour is the largest annual fundraiser of FFWP.

The Ecology Project is a multi-year endeavor to remove invasive plant species, plant and encourage the growth of native species, and renovate key areas to enhance user enjoyment. FFWP has completed three Ecology Project sites — Lighthouse View, Cliffside and the Children’s Garden — and is working on a fourth site, Cliff Walk Landscape. FFWP also hosts educational programs and tours in the park, and partners with other non-profit organizations and the town of Cape Elizabeth to encourage sustainable land management practices.

For more information about Friends of Fort Williams Park or the Cape Elizabeth Garden Tour, visit www.fortwilliams.org, email info@fortwilliams.org or call 767-3707.

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