Community

Since its founding in 1924, the Westport Garden Club has been committed to supporting the health and history of our community, through both civics projects and philanthropy.

Civics Projects

Maintenance work, largely done by Club members, consists of planting, weeding, dividing, pruning and mulching. Work parties are organized throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The Club maintains the following local properties

  • Earthplace Entrance Garden

    Earthplace Entrance Garden

    Earthplace Entrance Garden (Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane) This garden was established in 1989. Renovated in 2022

  • Philantropy

    Beach Buds

    Beach Buds (at the entrance to Compo Beach) This garden was re-established by WGC in 2007 and received a Westport Beautification Award in 2010.

  • Pink flowers

    Grace K. Salmon Park

    Grace K. Salmon Park (Imperial Avenue across from Baker Avenue) This former landfill was restored and planted in 1977 by WGC and is now a public park. For our work on this property, WGC was awarded the Lucille B. Droge Mauntel Certificate for Conservation by the National Council of Garden Clubs. Renovated in 2022

  • Nevada Hitchcock Memorial Garden

    Nevada Hitchcock Memorial Garden (Weston Road at Cross Highway) This garden was established in 1941 in honor of an illustrious founding member. Renovated in 2022

  • Cam’s Garden

    Cam’s Garden (at the intersection of Old Hills Farm and Winding lane) “Cam’s Garden” was inspired by Cameron Bruce, son of WGC member Linda Bruce. The garden was designed by Linda Bruce in collaboration with Eric Sweet of Greenscape Design, LLC, Fairfield, CT and was installed in the fall of 2012. WGC took over maintenance of the garden in 2022. It features bluestone paths winding through the garden and circling a water feature. The garden is populated by a cherry tree, numerous varieties of shrubs, perennials, and bulbs providing color and interest for three seasons. There is a marker at the site which reads:

    Cam’s Garden
    In memory of Cameron Bruce
    (1992-2010)

    —Tended by his family and friends

Philantropy

The Westport Garden Club shares its fund raising profits with organizations that reflect our cornerstone values of education, conservation, preservation and beautification. In past years, WGC has given money to the following organizations:

  • Wakeman Town Farm

  • Aspetuck Land Trust

  • Westport Public Library

  • Nature Conservancy

  • Earthplace

  • The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

  • Connecticut College Arboretum

  • Connecticut Audubon

  • Staples High School Tuition Grants

  • Westport Museum for History & Culture

  • Friends of Sherwood Island

  • Federated Garden Clubs Scholarship

  • Garden Therapy/World Gardening

  • Sherwood Mill Pond

  • Harbor Watch/River Watch

  • Naugatuck Valley Community College (scholarship for a horticultural student)

Westport’s
Pollinator Pathway Project

The Wakeman Town Farm, Earthplace and the Westport Garden Club are working in partnership with other town organizations to enhance our public gardens and create new pollinator-friendly spaces, while encouraging residents to create their own native plant gardens. Read more www.pollinator-pathway.org/westport

Holiday Wreaths

At our wreath-making workshop each December, large wreaths are created to adorn many public buildings in Westport, including:

  • Westport Senior Center

  • Parks and Recreation

  • Westport Museum for History & Culture

  • Westport/Weston Health District

  • Westport Housing Authority

  • Adams Academy

  • Gillespie Center

  • Women’s Crisis Center

  • Earthplace

  • ABC House

  • Project Return

  • Wakeman Town Farm

  • VFW Post 399

#FridayFlowers

The Westport Garden Club launched Friday Flowers in May of 2020 to brighten the spirits of fellow residents during the COVID pandemic. Members shared pots and bouquets of colorful flowers placed at various locations around town. Our goal was to encourage a love of gardening while respecting the limitations of public interaction. Providing fresh flowers reflected the club’s mission to “participate in civic beautification” and its dedication to the community.