Our Goal
The object of this club shall be to study 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 would include aiding in protection and conservation of native trees, plants and birds, implementing community beautification, and supporting community activities.
What We Do
Each month we provide information to members on an aspect of gardening. Our guest speakers and tour guides have provided us information on herbs, flowers, vegetables, fruit, pollination, xeriscaping, soil conditions, insects, and assorted other topics.
Community outreach is also extremely important to our club. Each year we seek ways to enhance the beauty of our town. We find a need we can fulfill and then do so. Occasionally these are in the form of donations such as the bubbler fountain; the clock on Main Street; and benches in parks and the cemetery. We also provide ongoing beautification such as planter boxes.
We take pride in our partnerships to achieve some of our goals such as the hanging baskets throughout the downtown area. We welcome opportunities to work with the City of Ridgefield, the Main Street Committee, the Ridgefield School District and others.
Our History
In May of 1938, fifteen enthusiastic women organized the Ridgefield Garden Club. In July of that year they were invited to become members of the Lewis and Clark District of the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs. These women were pioneers in the field of conservation.
The Club won the State Award of Merit in June 1939 for a small park project on the northwest corner of Main and Pioneer for the most outstanding civic improvement of the year.
After holding many money-making projects, the Club purchased land for a future club house in 1947. Realizing what a major undertaking this would be, the Club donated the land to the city in 1963 creating Davis Park. In 1986 the Club installed new play equipment at the park.
Over the years, a substantial number of other projects have been undertaken and gifts bestowed such as:
- Exterior Benches and planter boxes to Ridgefield Community Library
- Concrete benches to the Ridgefield Cemetery and Abrams Park
-The replica of the “Benson Bubbler” fountain in downtown Ridgefield
-The street clock on Third and Pioneer
-Monies for projects in Overlook Park
-Books about gardening to the library
-Donations to a number of civic groups such as Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and FFA
-Scholarships to students pursuing horticulture related degrees.
Through the years, the Club has planted flowering trees and installed aggregate planters in the parking strips throughout the city. We, the club members, continue to maintain the planters including year round weeding, watering during the summer, and twice yearly seasonal plantings.
