Audubon Park Garden Club
History, Mission, MembershipThe Audubon Park Garden Club was first organized in 1929. Its mission is “to encourage all residents of Audubon Park to promote, through cooperation, the improvement of Audubon Park as a garden and bird center, and to participate in local, state, and national garden and horticultural programs”. Membership in the Garden Club was amended in 2010 to allow non-residents. Current membership is 49 members. For information about joining the club or other general information, contact Club President Jane Jonczy at 502-239-4468 or
Janet Shumate 502-636-0111 2018-2019 OfficersOFFICERS
President: Ms. Jane Jonczy First Vice President: Mrs. Margaret Tanguay Second Vice President: Mr. Richard Challis Recording Secretary: Mrs. Jan Huber Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. Nancy Zinner Treasurer: Mrs. Janet Shumate Other OfficialsParliamentarian: Ms. Emily Challis
Auditor: Mrs. Joanne Bader State Life Members: Mrs. Marjorie Davis Meetings
September to May Inclusive
Second Monday Each Month, 1:00 p.m. Audubon Park City Hall 3340 Robin Road (unless otherwise indicated) DonationsCivic Fund Garden Club: Established August 2015 at the request of the Audubon Park City Council to accept donations to be used for city improvements.
PayPal Garden Club Tree restoration: Established by the Garden Club in 2002 with proceeds being used for special planting projects, care of existing trees, and planting of new ones. PayPal |
Ongoing Projects
1. Caring for and beautifying parks and street plots
located in Audubon Park. 2. Annual "Festival of the Dogwood" in Audubon Park. Sharing the beauty of our city with all who pass through by spotlighting the dogwood trees and other blooming shrubs during the peak of their blooming season. 3. Ways and Means projects. 4. Participation in Judging of Commercial Landscapes. 5. Promote conservation in the home and garden through composting and use of energy efficient lighting. 6. Provide members to serve on the Audubon Park Forest Board. Memorial Tree and Bench ProgramsThe Audubon Park Garden Club instituted a Memorial Tree and Bench Program in 2006 in conjunction with City Hall. Under these programs, residents or their families/friends can plant a memorial tree or they can sponsor a Memorial Bench in honor or memory of a loved one which would be located within one of the City’s five community parks. Memorial trees can be planted for a cost of $500 and a memorial plaque is provided.
Memorial benches currently cost $2,500 each (although the cost may fluctuate depending on material costs and other market factors) which include a bronze plaque with the name of the person(s) to be honored. Application forms should be requested from the City Clerk. To date, Audubon Park has 15 memorial benches scattered within the five City parks. Enjoy a walk through the parks and think of those who have been honored as you stop and rest on their bench. |
Garden Club Programs for 2018-2019 Visitors Welcome
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September
“ Hemp” Farmington Historic Plantation Monday, September 9th Guest Speaker: Cathy Nichols Carpool from city hall to Farmington 3033 Bardstown Rd 12:00 p.m. October
“Remembering Audubon Park 1929-2019” Fall Dinner Thursday, October 10th Guest Speaker: Dr. Tom Owen Audubon Country Club 3265 Robin Road 5:45 p.m. November
“Hostas” Monday, November 11th Guest Speaker: Dr. Anne Cartwright Audubon Park City Hall 7:00 p.m. February
“The Secret Life of Trees” Winter Potluck Lunch Monday, February 10th Guest Speaker: Jacquelyn McGrail Audubon Baptist Church 1046 Hess Ln 11:00 a.m. |
March
“Azaleas and Rhododendrons” Monday, March 9th Guest Speaker: Jeff Wallitsch Audubon Park City Hall 1:00 p.m. April
“Nests and Birds I Have Known” Spring Luncheon-Installation of Officers Tuesday, April 14th Guest Speaker: Members of APGC Audubon Country Club 3265 Robin Rd 11:45 a.m. May
“Waterfront Botanical Gardens” Monday, May 11th Guest Speaker: WBG Educator Carpool from city hall to River Road 12:00 p.m. |
The Festival of the Dogwood
The Festival of the Dogwood began in 1971, but the dogwood had already become a favorite in Audubon Park about fifty years earlier, and the Garden Club had been encouraging its planting for almost that long. Club promotional projects had included both residential and public park plantings in Wren Park, with dogwoods donated and planted by area residents during World War ll, in honor of family members serving in the Armed Forces. A festival honoring dogwoods was, therefore, a very appropriate project for the Audubon Park Garden Club. The idea of focusing spotlights on dogwood trees was brought before the club by Mrs. Floyd R. Davis during her presidential term (1969-1971). The club approved the project and the first festival was held April 20-25, 1971, during the presidential term of Mrs. Herbert L. Smith (1971-1973). This exhibition of beauty became an annual event with the long-range purpose of beautification, conservation, anti-litter, and community spirit promotion. The original six night affair later became a three night event. The Festival has had six chairmen: Mrs. Gene Lanter, who served both before and after the second chairman, Mrs. Marian Gudridge, Mrs. Polly Henderson, Mrs. Ruth Henriksen, Ms. Jane Slaughter, and Mrs. Diane Osborne.
For three nights In April each year, Audubon Park becomes a fantasy land - a dazzling, panoramic spectacle of magical beauty, where spring blossoms dance and curtsy before the spotlights. Dogwoods and other flowering shrubs and trees in Wren Park and on residential lawns along 43 city blocks are the "stars" of the show.
For three nights In April each year, Audubon Park becomes a fantasy land - a dazzling, panoramic spectacle of magical beauty, where spring blossoms dance and curtsy before the spotlights. Dogwoods and other flowering shrubs and trees in Wren Park and on residential lawns along 43 city blocks are the "stars" of the show.
