Tranquil Water Gardens is pleased to announce the dates for Rhode Island's longest running Pond Tour, Sat. and Sun. July 19th and 20th, 2008. This Tour has raised more than $20,000 for local charities since it started 8 years ago.

This year's tour will feature more than 30 ponds and gardens in Cumberland, RI, Lincoln, RI, and North Attleboro, MA. You will be immersed in many different styles of water gardens throughout the tour. A large estate in North Attleboro has acres of lush gardens and a large courtyard containing a formal water garden planted with lotus and tropical water lilies. A castle in Lincoln, RI has two wonderfully designed ponds and is surrounded by breath taking gardens. In Cumberland you will see a great example of how adding an outdoor living space can extend the enjoyment of a backyard pond by simply adding an outdoor fireplace and canopy.

For the do-it-yourselfer's, this is a great opportunity to get ideas, talk with professionals, and to see first hand just how a water garden changes the lives of the pond owner. Take many photos, gather lots of notes but most of all, have an open mind so that your inspirations can dream up your backyard oasis. All but one of these water features was professionally installed or modified by Tranquil Water Gardens or Earth and Water Landscapes and Water Gardens.

Tranquil Water Gardens has been installing and maintaining water features for more than 10 years and has designed and installed features not only in private homes but in places such as Roger Williams Park Zoo, RWG Botanical Gardens and indoors at the former Big Fish restaurant in Providence, RI. Ponds at Cumberland and Smithfield High schools were part of TWG's Ponds for Schools Program which invites High School students to learn first hand about the fun of water gardening by actually constructing the ponds with the supervision of TWG's staff and teachers.

Last year TWG changed its business plan and now focuses more on its retail and maintenance business. TWG now subcontracts Earth and Water Landscape and Water Gardens from Lincoln, RI to build its larger projects. Craig Marciniak, Manager of TWG, will still design and educate the homeowner, however, Joe Mack, owner of Earth and Water will actually carry out the installation. The beauty of this relationship is that it allows both
companies the opportunity to do what they do best, and the customer is the winner because they have the support they need from TWG and the technical know-how from Earth and Water's crew. Earth and Water is also a full service landscape company and can provide expert design and installing for all of the surrounding landscape. From plantings to hardscape, E & W has more than 20 years of experience.

The tickets for this year's Pond Tour are $15.00. Proceeds will benefit the TWG Pondering Award, a college scholarship for students with Cystic Fibrosis. (For more information about Cystic Fibrosis visit www.cff.org)

Your ticket package will include driving directions to the properties as well as brief biographies and maps. Refreshments will be served along the way and a special coupon page will offer huge savings on pond supplies and services. Tickets will be available starting July 1st, 2008 and booklets will be available on July 18th, 19th and 20th, 2008. Tickets are valid for both days and this is a rain or shine event. Tickets can be purchased at Tranquil Water Gardens Outlet Store, 10 Nate Whipple Hwy, Cumberland, RI or via phone at 401-658-4547. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. For more information: visit www.tranquilwatergardens.com, email tranquilwater1@cox.net, or call the number above.