To the editor:
I’m writing to you as a Coconut Grove resident who genuinely values the role the Spotlight plays in keeping our community connected and informed. Your coverage of local happenings is something many of us look forward to and rely on.
I wanted to bring up the recent Secret Garden Tour, which was, by any measure, a standout event for the Grove. Attendance was impressive, with neighbors and visitors alike turning out to explore the beautiful private gardens that homeowners so generously opened to the public. It was exactly the kind of event that captures what makes this neighborhood feel like a true community.
The Secret Garden Tour is far more than a social gathering — it’s a collaborative effort rooted in local pride. Sponsors, volunteers, and families all come together around something that reflects the Grove’s unique character: a deep appreciation for nature, beauty, and neighborly spirit. Events like this don’t happen by accident, and the people behind them deserve recognition.
That’s why I was genuinely surprised not to see any coverage of it in the Spotlight. I’d be curious to understand why the event didn’t make it into your pages, given how widely it resonated with the community.
I’d also like to mention Carrie Jackson, President of the Secret Garden Tour. Carrie is a dedicated Grove resident whose commitment to tree preservation, gardening, and keeping our neighborhood green is an asset to all of us. Her work organizing this event — and her broader advocacy for the environment — is exactly the kind of local leadership worth celebrating.
I hope you’ll consider covering the Secret Garden Tour in a future issue and giving Carrie and her team the recognition they’ve earned.
Thank you for all you do for our neighborhood.
Paula Barreto
Coconut Grove
Editors’ note: The 2026 Secret Garden Tour was listed in the Spotlight’s “Where We’ll Be” calendar roundup for eight consecutive weeks leading up to the March 14 event.
