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 47 members. Yearly membership dues are $35 per person or $65 per couple. Contact Janet Shumate at 636-0111 or Club President Jane Jonczy at 502-239-4468 for more information.
2022-2023 OfficersPresident: Jane Jonczy
First Vice President: Rose Cantrell Second Vice President: Richard Challis Recording Secretary: TBD Corresponding Secretary: Marie Eff Treasurer: Janet Shumate Other OfficialsParliamentarian: Helen Emily Challis
Auditor: Joanne Bader State Life Members: Margaret Tanguay and Janet Shumate Meetings
September to June (except January)
Second Monday Each Month, 1:00 p.m. Audubon Park City Hall 3340 Robin Road (unless otherwise indicated) DonationsCivic Fund Garden Club: Established by the garden club in August 2015 at the request of the City Council. To accept contributions to be used for city improvements.
Donate thru PayPal or mail check to APGC 1218 Falcon Drive Audubon Park Ky 40213. Garden Club Tree restoration: Established by the garden club in 2002 with proceeds being used for special planting projects or tree maintenance. Donate thru PayPal or mail check to APGC 1218 Falcon Drive Audubon Park Ky 40213 Garden Club Photo Gallery |
Ongoing Projects
1. Caring for and beautifying parks 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. Encourage residents of Audubon Park to decorate homes and streets during the holiday season. 5. Promote conservation in the home and garden through use of energy efficient lighting and composting. 6. Provide members to serve on the Audubon Park Forest Board. 7. Memorial Tree and Bench Program. "Come Walk in Audubon." 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. For more information on the Memorial Tree and Bench Program, please click on the link Come Walk in Audubon Park |
Garden Club Programs for 2022-2023 Visitors are Welcome
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September
“Native Wildflowers-Attracting Birds” Monday, September 19th Guest Speaker: Tavia Cathcart Brown, Executive Director Creasey Mahon Nature Preserve Audubon Park City Hall 3340 Robin Rd 1:00 p.m. October
"Animals of Louisville" Annual Fall Dinner Thursday, October 13th Guest Speaker: Rev. Lee Payne Jr of Cave Hill Cemetery Audubon Country Club 3265 Robin Road 5:45 p.m. There is a $30 charge for dinner. Reservations must be made a week in advance by contacting Grace Worful at 338-9075. November
"BeeKeeping" Monday, November 14th Guest Speaker: Jennifer Cebe Audubon Park City Hall 3340 Robin Rd 1:00 p.m. |
February
“Hellebores” Winter Potluck Luncheon Monday, February 13th Guest Speaker: Dr. Anne Cartwright, Hostas of Kentuckiana Audubon Baptist Church 1046 Hess Ln 11:00 a.m. March
“Good Native Trees and Shrubs” Monday, March 13th Guest Speaker: Michael McLaughlin, Master Gardener Audubon Park City Hall 3340 Robin Rd 1:00 p.m. April
“Gardens of Churchill Downs” Spring Luncheon-Installation of Officers Tuesday, April 11th Guest Speaker: Matt Bizzell, Director of Horticuture, Churchill Downs Audubon Country Club 3265 Robin Rd 11:45 a.m. There is a charge for lunch. Reservations must be made a week in advance by contacting Grace Worful at 338-9075. May
“Whitehall Tour” Monday, May 8th 3110 Lexington Rd 11 a.m. Carpool from Audubon Club Country parking lot. Departure TBD June
"Tour of Member's Garden" Monday, June 12th Guest Speaker: Jean Dietz 2300 Wendler Ln Louisville Ky 40272 Carpool from Audubon Country Club parking lot. Departure TBD |
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.
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.
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.
