In June 2010, founders Jan Kious and Bobbi Reichtell learned of GardenWalk Buffalo, which showcased 353 gardens of Buffalo neighborhoods the last weekend in July. They went to Buffalo GardenWalk to see the miracle of so many gardens blooming in a city with such a cold, drab reputation. GardenWalk Buffalo completely changed their impressions of that city. They realized that a GardenWalk in Cleveland could change perceptions of Cleveland, too. In 2011, a group of Clevelanders planned the first GardenWalk Cleveland. Today, GardenWalk Cleveland showcases not only gardens, but neighborhoods, and their gardeners.