Welcome to Ridgefield Garden Club
Mission and Charter
The purpose of the club shall be to study, in all of it aspects, the fine art of gardening and horticulture. This will enable us to assist others who are interested in improving their gardens and surroundings.
Other goals include aid in the protection and conservation of native trees, plants, and birds as well as encouraging community beautification.
Our History
Ridgefield Garden Club began in May 1938, when fifteen inspired women came together with a shared vision: to beautify their town and protect the natural world around them. Their commitment to conservation was ahead of its time, and within months they were invited to join the Lewis and Clark District of the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs, recognizing their leadership and passion. In 1939, the club earned the State Award of Merit for transforming a small corner at Main and Pioneer into a welcoming park, setting the tone for decades of civic improvement and community pride. As the club grew, so did its ambitions. After years of fundraising, members purchased land in 1947 for a future clubhouse—a symbol of their long-term commitment to Ridgefield. Realizing that this space could serve the whole community, they made the visionary choice in 1963 to donate the land to the city, creating Davis Park. In 1986, they continued this legacy by installing new play equipment, ensuring that families and children could enjoy the park they helped bring to life. Over the years, the club has quietly shaped many of the outdoor spaces that define Ridgefield. Members have provided benches and planter boxes for the Ridgefield Community Library, concrete benches for the cemetery and Abrams Park, and contributed to beloved landmarks such as the replica “Benson Bubbler” fountain downtown and the street clock at Third and Pioneer. They have supported enhancements at Overlook Park, donated gardening books to the library, contributed to local groups like Neighbors Helping Neighbors and FFA, and funded scholarships for students pursuing horticulture-related degrees—investing in both people and place. Today, that spirit of stewardship continues within Ridgefield Garden Club. Members plant and care for downtown planter boxes, install and tend native plant patches in city parks, offer holiday cheer with an all-age , help teach gardening to elementary students, and spaces. Each bloom, bench, and green corner is a reminder that a small group of committed neighbors can leave a lasting legacy—and that every new member has the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Ridgefield’s story.
Membership
Membership in the Ridgefield Garden Club is open to anyone who enjoys learning, friendship, and meaningful ways to help keep our town beautiful. You do not have to be a gardener to be a member and support our vision for Ridgefield. From September through May, we meet on the third Thursday of each month at 10 am at the TMI Building (101 Mill St.) in downtown Ridgefield. June through August, we enjoy tours and field trips that take us into gardens, parks, and nurseries. Members help with key projects such as the annual Plant Sale, planting and caring for the downtown planter boxes, and a special civic activity chosen each year. Participation is encouraged, and every helping hand makes a difference. We also make time to celebrate, with engaging guest speakers, fun outings, and luncheons in May and December. Many members say they’ve gained not only new gardening skills but lasting friendships. To join, simply visit a monthly meeting (again, revise? ), then complete the Enrollment Form and pay the annual dues of $30—or choose a one-time lifetime membership of $300—and you’ll become part of a welcoming group of neighbors dedicated to a greener, more beautiful Ridgefield.