Planting community relationships one partner at a time
The Grosse Pointe Garden Center is a valuable resource for the Grosse Pointes and neighboring communities. It offers public lectures by noted speakers on gardening and conservation-related topics.
This time of year, the view from the lakefront side of The War Memorial blossoms, thanks in part to the work of the Grosse Pointe Garden Center.
The Grosse Pointe Garden Center, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote education, beautification, horticulture, and conservation in our community. It has operated from The War Memorial for over 70 years and currently has over 250 members.
“The Garden Center coordinates with all the different community garden clubs to make this a true trial garden,” Candy Sweeny, co-president of the Grosse Pointe Garden Center, said. “It’s one of the few gardens done by volunteers. It’s been great working with The War Memorial. We have an office there now and it’s convenient to be at The War Memorial.”
Sweeny leads the Center along with Co-President Sandie Fischer. Sweeny has been president for five years.
The Center is a gardening resource for the Grosse Pointes and neighboring communities. It offers public lectures by noted speakers on gardening and conservation-related topics.
Sweeny said the Center manages the Trial Gardens, Veterans Garden, and Perennial Arbor Gardens, located on the grounds of The War Memorial. 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the Trial Gardens at The War Memorial. The Center dates back to September 1949, shortly after the establishment of the nonprofit institution.
“The dues used to be $1 and they were hoping to get 1,000 members, which it’s never been,” Sweeny said. “The gardens have expanded to the Perennial Gardens that are full of native plants. It beautifies the whole setting on the lake.”
It offers annual garden tours, bulb sales, workshops and many other activities and events. The Garden Center funds its many programs, projects, and activities from donations, memberships, and fundraisers.
“The War Memorial lets up be creative in the gardens,” Sweeny commented. “The idea is to do things to make the gardens accessible for the public to view, whether it be for weddings, showers, or concerts at The War Memorial. There’s a respect for the center by The War Memorial for what we are trying to do.”
Its next event is the 32nd annual Garden Tour on June 21 and June 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m with the theme “Gardeners Create Community.”
“It’s been very successful over the years,” Sweeny said. “We thought that Gardeners Create Community combines gardening and reaching out to the community so that people can see how other people garden, if there are native plants incorporated or pesticide free.”
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of. Advanced tickets are available online.
In May, Grosse Pointe Garden Center Board Member Alaine Bush presented on Victory Gardens as part of The War Memorial’s Arsenal of Democracy exhibit, celebrating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
To learn more about the Grosse Pointe Garden Center, click here.