New Garden at Washington Township Public Library Circle Dedicated

July 15, 2020 marked 50 years since the creation of the The Garden Club of Long Valley. Although the club was not able to celebrate the 50-year anniversary as planned due to the pandemic, the club remains committed to the community. The mission of GCLV is to promote general interest in gardening in the community, encourage civic beauty and roadside beautification, and to study and teach the fine art of horticulture. Additionally, the Club aids in the conservation and protection of our natural resources and works to stimulate an interest in gardening and conservation among the youth of our community while furthering the objectives recommended by The Garden Club of New Jersey.

One of the many ways GCLV has continued with the mission and commitment to the community throughout the pandemic is maintaining various municipal gardens (Library, Historical Society, Police Station, Senior Center, Municipal Building).

To commemorate the clubs 50th anniversary, a new garden has been created and installed in the circle at the Washington Township Library. This garden represents a true community effort with many working together towards its completion, including GCLV members Maria Birch, Alice Dickson, Teddie Falcone, and Gwen Montgomery spearheading the effort, with guidance from GCLV members Jamie Gartelmann and Kathy Smith; Design concept and direction contributed by landscape architect Ann Marie Harrington (AMKharrington); Ground preparation from the municipal department; As well as the support of the WT Library Director Jackie Zuzzi and the entire WT Library Board of Trustees.

The garden features a very Zen appearance using a minimalist approach and allowing view from all sides of the circle, a pathway guides the eye into the garden, strategic placement of rocks and plantings support the concept.

The garden, which will be maintained by the GCLV, is just one recent example of the many ways the GCLV continues serving our community.