The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will celebrate National Public Gardens Day with free admission and Garden tours on Friday, May 10.

Tours of Luthy Botanical Garden are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on May 10.

National Public Gardens Day is a national day of celebration that invites communities to explore the beauty of their local green spaces while raising awareness of the important role public gardens play in promoting conservation, education and environmental preservation. Annually scheduled on the Friday preceding Mother’s Day weekend, schools, families, garden enthusiasts and visitors are invited to visit public gardens in their local community for special events and activities. A partnership between the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and irrigation product and service provider Rain Bird, the 2012 event will showcase the contributions of public gardens with special events at many of the more than 500 North American public gardens.

For additional information about National Public Gardens Day, visit www.nationalpublicgardensday.org . For more information about how Luthy Botanical Garden will commemorate the occasion, contact Bob Streitmatter, Garden manager, at (309) 681-3506.