The
tours cost $15 per person with proceeds going to
fund future castle and garden rehabilitation and
improvements. Those interested can register for
the tours online by going to the Classes
and Programs link at phoenix.gov/parks. The tours
only cover the grounds and does not include access
to Tovrea Castle, which is closed as part of ongoing
rehabilitation and renovation.
Walking
tours are appropriate for youth ages 8 and older
with mild grade variations on garden trails.
Participants
should wear proper clothing and footwear for a desert
environment. Parks staff has been working for several
years to restore the plants in the garden and recently
employed a cactus specialist to restore and rejuvenate
many of the cacti on site.
Using
period photos, staff also has been repairing and
improving the grounds to more closely resemble the
way they looked when the castle and cactus gardens
were newly completed in the early 1930s. Overall,
visitors will see the east side of the Carraro Cactus
Garden, outbuildings, machine shop, cactus propagation
beds and exterior castle views.
Call
602‑256‑3220 for more information.