| PROJECTS: TOWN GARDENS & OTHER ACTIVITIES |
Ferry Lane Park Intersection of Bridge and Church Streets
Ferry Lane Park is the northern gateway to West Newbury, appearing immediately after you cross the Rocks Village Bridge over the Merrimack River. Before the bridge existed, a ferry transported people and goods between West Newbury and the Rocks Village and neighboring Haverhill. Today, it serves as greenspace beside the Merrimack, and is the site of the Garden Club's award-winning Thurlow Peony Garden.
Old Town Hall Across from the Training Field, at 497 Main Street
Foundation plantings for all seasons brighten up the town's original meeting place, and the site our the Garden Club's meetings in years past. The mix of evergreen shrubs and perennials, sparked with annuals dresses up this wonderful old building and complements the gardens at the Training Field and the GAR Library immediately across the street.
Elwell Square and Church Street Downtown West Newbury, at Maple and Church Streets
Two pocket / container gardens grace the center of town and brighten up Main Street.
Shade gardens on either side of the front walk lead patrons up the curving walk to the library's front door, framed by pots of beautiful annuals.
Training Field Main Street just east of the GAR Library
Site of the militia's training field dating back to the early days of West Newbury, our plantings enhance and honor the war memorial and horse trough. The Training Field is also the venue for the Garden Club's famous annual Plant Sale held in the late spring each year.
Hills House Intersection of Main Street and Bachelor Street
Historic home of William Hills was built in nnnn and is now the headquarters of the West Newbury Historical Society. The herb garden is based on a design from the Plimoth Plantation, and contains over 50 varieties of herbs grown during the 18th century for their pharmaceutical, aromatic, and therapeutic qualities.
The gardens surrounding the notice board in front of the Town Offices change over the seasons to maintain a bright spot in the center of town.
The Club sponsors annual scholarships to students in good standing, in public or private schools, who reside in the Pentucket District of West Newbury, Merrimac or Groveland. The student must intend to pursue a degree in landscape design, horticulture, environmental studies, geology, biology, earth science, or any related major which pertains to the environment at either a two or four-year college. For more information email or call Rosemarie McCobb at 978 363-1619.
Annual Plant Sale Training Field
Our major fundraiser for the year, this sale is also a major outreach to the gardeners of West Newbury and the surrounding towns. Our plants are dug by the members from their own gardens, and include standard and exotic cultivars as well as donated plants from local growers. Members share a wealth of advice and plant lore, and approximately 60% of the net goes to scholarships for students in earth sciences majors.
Around Thanksgiving, our members get together to create the wreaths hung for the holidays on the public buildings around West Newbury, including the Town Offices, Town Hall, GAR Library, Public Safety Complex, and Anna Jaques Hospital.
Spring Flower Show Trip Departs from the back parking lot of the Annex at 381 Main St.
This trip is temporarily in abeyance, as the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has suspended the New England Spring Flower Show pending funding. If there is a Show, we will have a Trip!