A Colorado Springs-based water gardening club is marking nearly four decades of community outreach with its signature summer event this August. The Pikes Peak Koi and Water Garden Society has held its annual backyard tour for close to 40 years, giving the public a chance to walk through a handpicked selection of members' pond installations.
The organization draws roughly 250 members from Colorado Springs and surrounding areas, and its focus centers on all aspects of pond keeping. While the club places a strong emphasis on teaching both members and newcomers sound practices for building and maintaining ponds, it also maintains an active social calendar, including monthly cookouts and informal gatherings.
The tour, considered the organization's flagship annual event, takes place August 1 and 2, with eight participating members based in Colorado Springs and one additional host located in Castle Rock welcoming visitors to explore the water features they have built.
Admission is free, no guide is required, and each day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The club describes its purpose as building a welcoming community around water gardening and the responsible keeping of koi, with an emphasis on sharing knowledge through education and mutual support.
Visitors can find a full guide to what each site offers, along with directions to every participating property, on the PPKWGS website.
How many people attend across both days of the tour will not be known until after the event closes on the afternoon of August 2.