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 Rose Cantrell at 502-640-5299 for more information.
2023-2024 OfficersPresident: Rose Cantrell
First Vice President: Jane Jonczy Second VP - Richard Challis Recording Secretary: Beth Donnelly Corresponding Secretary: Marie Eff Treasurer: Janet Shumate Other OfficialsParliamentarian: Helen Emily Challis
Auditor: Joanne Bader State Life Members: Jane Jonczy, Janet Shumate and Margaret Tanguay 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. Supporting the care and beautification of parks within 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. Provide members to participate in Brightside Community Cleanup twice a Year. 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 2023-2024 Visitors are Welcome
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September
“A Self-Guided Tour of Waterfront Botanical Garden" Wednesday, September 13th Waterfront Botanical Garden 1435 Frankfort Ave Louisville, KY 40206 Carpool from Audubon Club Country parking lot 12:30 p.m. October
"Three Ohio River Stories: The Ohio Riverway, Payne Hollow on the Ohio, and Beargrass Creek" Annual Fall Dinner Wednesday, October 18th Guest Speaker: Dr. David Wicks, Board Vice Chairman of Ohio River Way Audubon Country Club 3265 Robin Road 5:45 p.m. There is a charge for dinner. More information and reservations can be made by contacting Marilyn Gauss at 314-7275 November
"A Self-Guided Tour of Cave Hill Cemetery" Monday, November 13th Cave Hill Cemetery 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204 Carpool from Audubon Country Club parking lot at 12:30 p.m. February
“Growing a Vegetable Garden" Winter Luncheon Monday, February 12th Guest Speaker: Jennifer L. Palmer, Horticultural Agent with the Jefferson County Extension Office Audubon Baptist Church 1046 Hess Ln 11:00 a.m. Contact Marilyn Gauss at 314-7275 if you plan to attend |
March
“Raptor Rehab Rescues" Monday, March 11th Guest Speaker from Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Inc. Audubon Baptist Church 1046 Hess Lane 1:00 p.m. April
“Development of Heritage Park" Spring Luncheon-Installation of Officers Wednesday, April 10th Guest Speaker: Susan Rademacher, Executive Director, Origin Park/River Heritage Conservancy 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 Marilyn Gauss at 314-7275 May
“Introduction to the Bonsai Plant" Monday, May 13th Guest Speaker: Russell Stevens, Horticulturist, Arborist, and Bonsai Artist with Twisted Nature Bonsai Audubon Park City Hall 1 p.m. June
"A Self-Guided Tour of Yew Dell Botanical Garden" Tuesday, June 11th Yew Dell Garden 6220 Old LaGrange Road Crestwood, KY 40014. 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.
