Greenwich Community Garden

Since colonial times, the intersection of Ye Greate Street and the Bridgeton-Greenwich Road has formed the heart of Greenwich. Located at the center of the Greenwich Historic District, what better place could there be for a garden and gathering place for visitors and residents? For several years, residents have imagined a memorial garden to remember friends and honor residents who have served the community. Others have suggested a garden that could feature native trees and plants – providing an outdoor classroom for students, visitors and neighbors.

Over the past few years, plans for the garden began to take shape. The Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders reviewed drawings and gave permission to use the grounds of the Prehistoric Museum. With help from the Greenwich Garden Club, the Environmental Commission, the Sustainable Greenwich team, members of the Cumberland County Master Gardener Program and other volunteers, work began during the spring of 2011. Tree limbs were trimmed, the site was prepared, a walkway was laid and the first trees were planted. On May 22, a groundbreaking ceremony was held after the annual Greenwich Fire Department Egg & Asparagus Breakfast.

Despite the heat waves and storms of the summer of 2011, the newly-planted trees are off to a good start. Donated benches offer a place to sit and read mail or catch up with friends. Native perennial and spring bulb plantings are planned, along with a community signboard and memorial plaque. If you would like to help, please send a note with your phone number to sustainablegreenwich@gmail.com or call Trudy Hansen at 856-453-8590. And, of course, feel free to stop by if you see others working – or pull a weed anytime! The garden will be what we choose to make it – together.

Watch for more Community Garden news on these pages soon!

Sincere thanks to everyone who has given a donation or who has contributed time, services, supplies and other materials for the Community Garden and for tree plantings and other Garden Club efforts throughout the Township.

Special recognition goes to Carey Hedlund for landscape design services, to Ted and Sharon Kiefer of Rivendell Nursery for the donation and planting of trees and shrubs, to Dutch Neck Landscaping Services and to the Cumberland County Historical Society for their major contributions toward the creation of the walkways.

For their generous donations and in-kind gifts, the Township Committee would like to recognize and thank: Woodruff Energy, Rich De Marco, Greg Jackson and Mary Ellen Chell, Robert Jackson, Charles and Wendy Eckert, Bill and Helen Reinhart, Joseph and Linda Felcone, George Carlisle, Fanny Clark, Harry Deemer, Norma DeNoble, Herb and Katsy Fithian, Sharon Kubis, Elizabeth McCutcheon, Barbara Paulos, Joe and Joan Hancock, Cliff Jones, Jr., Gayle Irvine, Michael and Sandy Ivanick, Patricia Trago, Carrie Werley, Denise Pearl, Nyla Jane and C. Robert Downs and Thompson Realty.

Thanks also to all of our Community Garden volunteers including: Steve Barndt, Sally Birdsall, Fanny Clark, Rich De Marco, Trudy Hansen, Carey Hedlund, Michael Henry, Ted Kiefer, David LaTourette, Barbara Paulos, Helen Reinhart, Mark Showers, Bob Watson and Penny Watson. Please let us know if we have forgotten anyone so we can add your names!

You can help!
Donations for the continuing development of the garden are greatly appreciated: please make your check payable to the Greenwich Township Garden Club and send to Greenwich Township Treasurer, Post Office Box 64, Greenwich, NJ 08323.

If you would like to help fund specific garden items, including the community message board and a plaque, please call Trudy Hansen at 856-453-8590 to discuss. Thank you!