COMMUNITY

BEAUTIFICATION

PROJECTS

RutgersMasterGardenersofUnionCounty

Community Beautification Projects

Tab Town Project1. BerkeleyHeights ~StreetTreeSurveyandHazardAssessment ~HughesElementarySchoolRainGarden ~PeppertownPark2. Clark3. Cranford ~JardineAcademy4. Elizabeth5. Fanwood ~FanwoodLibraryRainGarden ~FanwoodPollinatorGarden ~FanwoodRainGarden6. Garwood7. Hillside8. Kenilworth9. Linden10. Mountainside ~DeerfieldSchool11. NewProvidence 12. Plainfield ~ShakespeareGarden13. Rahway ~RahwayHistoricalSociety 14. Roselle15. RosellePark16. ScotchPlains17. Springfield18. Summit ~Reeves-ReedArboretumDocentProgram ~SeedsforHope19. Union ~LibertyHallFarmatKeanUniversity ~TownshipofUnionCommunityGarden20. Westfield ~GardensatMiller-CoryHouse ~MitzvahGarden 21. Winfield

22. Woodbridge ~WoodbridgeRainGardenAppendixA: MasterGardenerCommunityBeautificationProposal

BERKELEY HEIGHTS STREET TREE SURVEY AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT

In2010,UnionCountyMasterGardenersandothervolunteerstookclassesfromaCertifiedTreeExpertinidentifyingtreesandtheirhealth,particularlywithregardtowhethertheyposedhazards.Theythencollecteddataonthesize,diversityandconditionoftreesalongtherightofwayinBerkeleyHeights.OverthenextcoupleofyearsthetrainedMasterGardenerscollectedinformationonover5,000trees.AspartoftheTownship’sCommunityForestryManagementPlan,theprojectalso:

• DeterminedtheoverallhealthofBerkeleyHeights'treeresource.• Cataloguedalltreesalongtheright-of-wayinthetownship.• Identifiedopenplantingspacesinthecommunity.• Identifiedconflictswithsidewalksandutilitylines.• Evaluatedtheneedformaintenance.

MasterGardenerswhoparticipatedintheprojectfoundittobeagreatlearningexperienceandveryfulfilling.VolunteerOpportunities:In2016,theprojectentersanewphase;volunteerswillreturnandtakeanotherlookattreesthathavebeenidentifiedasshowingsignsofdecline.Thisprojectrequiressomeknowledgeoftreesandtreehealth.Trainingwillbeprovided.ItwillbeanongoingactivityfromJunethroughOctober,usuallyforabouttwohoursinthemorning.Uptosixvolunteersareneeded.Address:VariousinBerkeleyHeightsFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:RichardLeister,leisterr8@verizon.net,orcall908-790-1552.

HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RAIN GARDEN

TheRainGardenlocatedatHughesElementarySchoolengagesthestudents,aswellastheteachers,inusingtheenvironmentalresourcestocreateanattractiverefugeandenhancetheecologicalhealthofthecommunity.Araingardencollectsstormwatertonourishthenativeplants,whicharecontainedinthisgarden.Withouttheraingarden,thisstormwaterwouldotherwisejustbewashedaway.Studentstendtheplants,whichenhancestheireducationalexperiences. VolunteerOpportunities:PleasecontactRichardLeisterfordetailsat:leisterr8@verizon.netAddress:446SnyderAve,BerkeleyHeightsFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:RichardLeisteratleisterr8@verizon.net

PEPPERTOWN PARK

PeppertownParkislocatedatthecornerofPlainfieldAvenueandShermanAvenueindowntownBerkeleyHeights.UnionCountyMasterGardeners,togetherwithothervolunteers,haveestablishedaperennialbed,consistingmostlyofnativeplantsattheeastendofthepark.Thegoalistomakethisalowmaintenancebed.VolunteerOpportunities:About10volunteersneededinlateMayandearlyJune,usuallyforanhourortwoonSaturdaymorning,toremoveweedsandmulch.Dependingonhowplantssurvivedthewinter,volunteersmayaddsomenativeplants.Address:PlainfieldAvenueandShermanAvenue,BerkeleyHeightsFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:RichardLeister,leisterr8@verizon.net,orcall908-790-1552

JARDINE ACADEMY BEAUTIFICATION

AND HORTICULTURAL THERAPY PROGRAM TheJardineAcademyisaprivateschooloperatedbytheCerebralPalsyLeagueforstudentsaged3-21.TheBeautificationandHorticulturalTherapyProgramprovideshorticulturaltherapywiththestudentsonaperiodicbasis.Inaddition,abutterflygardenismaintainedinthefrontofthebuilding.AllmaterialsareprovidedbytheStaffofJardineAcademy.VolunteerOpportunities:2or3volunteersneededaboutonceeachseason.Address:61MyrtleAve.CranfordFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:IreneGreenstein,rhgreenstein@verizon.net

FANWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY RAIN GARDEN

TheFanwoodMemorialLibraryRainGardencameaboutin2005throughacollaborationoftheFanwoodEnvironmentalCommission,theRutgersCooperativeExtension,theNJDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections,theRahwayRiverAssociation,theFanwoodMemorialLibraryandUnionCountyMasterGardeners.

Araingardenisalandscapedshallowdepressionplantedwithnativeplantscreatedtocollectstormwaterandrechargethegroundwatersupply.Raingardensmakeneighborhoodsmoreattractivewhileenhancingecologicalhealth.PlantsnativetoNewJerseyareplantedintheraingarden.Nativeplantsareusedsincetheydonotrequiresubstantialfertilization,absorbwatermoreefficientlythanturf-stylelawns,andaremucheasiertomaintainthanexoticspecies.TheFanwoodMemorialLibraryRainGardenisdedicatedtothememoryofStevenA.Clark.VolunteerOpportunities:3or4volunteers,everyotherweekonThursdaymorningsfromabout9:30to11:30(9amduringveryhotweather).Address:TillotsonRd,FanwoodFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:MaryGosnell,maryjgosnell@aol.comorEdithWells,ewells@optimum.net

FANWOOD POLLINATOR GARDEN

ThePollinatorGardenwasinstalledattheFanwoodNatureCenterin2010byalocalGirlScoutforher2010GoldAward.Theintentionwastocreateademonstrationgardenthatresidentscouldeasilyaccessandlearnabouttheimportanceofcreatingpollinatorfriendlyhabitats.IntheFallof2016,EagleScoutsremovedthegardenfromtheFanwoodNatureCenterandre-installeditattheFanwoodBoroughHall,withtheoversightoftheFanwoodEnvironmentalCommission.ThePollinatorGardenwillbelocatedaroundtheFlagpoleatthefrontoftheBoroughHall.Arainbarrelwillalsobeondisplayandusedforwateringtheannualsinthegarden.VolunteerOpportunities:VolunteersareneededforweedingandwateringfromAprilthroughOctober.Address:FanwoodBoroughHall,75NorthMartineAveFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:TeresaKeeler,908-403-7319orteresakeeler@outlook.com

FANWOOD RAIN GARDEN

TheRainGarden,designedbytwoFanwoodresidents,wasmeanttobeademonstrationgardenforUnionCounty.FanwoodreceivedagrantfromtheRahwayRiverWatershedAssociationtoinstallthegarden.PositioningthegardenattheFanwoodBoroughHallgivesresidentsafirsthandviewofusingaraingardenforwatermitigation,whichisoftenrecommendedbythezoningofficetomanagewaterrunofffromdrivewaysandstructuralchanges.InasmallceremonyonMay20,2015,theRainGardenwasdedicatedbytheMayorofFanwood. VolunteerOpportunities:VolunteersareneededforweedingandwateringfromAprilthroughOctober.Address:FanwoodBoroughHall,75NorthMartineAve Formoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:TeresaKeeler,908-403-7319orteresakeeler@outlook.com

DEERFIELD SCHOOL GREENHOUSE PROJECT

TheDeerfieldSchoolGreenhouseProjectisanextensionoftheoutdoorgardenalreadyestablishedatthegradeschool.TheGreenhouseProjectenhancestheeducationalexperiencesofthestudents,aswellasdevelopsandenhancestheknowledge,skillsandteachingstrategiesinenvironmentaleducationoftheteachers.Thirdandfourthgradeclasseswillbetendingplantstheybeginfromseedsintheclassroombeforetransferringtothegreenhouse,andfinallytotheoutdoorgarden.VolunteerOpportunities:Oneortwovolunteerstakingturns,weeklyorbi-weekly,tovisittheschooltocheckongrowth,health,andwaterneedsofplants.Address:302CentralAvenue,MountainsideFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:KennyIlgavitis,kenei@verizon.net

SHAKESPEARE GARDEN

TheShakespeareGardenwasinitiatedbyDorothyFlemingofthePlainfieldShakespeareSocietyin1927,andplantedbythePlainfieldGardenClub.ItwasoriginallymeanttobeasmallgardeninacornerofCedarBrookPark.However,theParkCommissionhiredtheOlmstedBrothersofBoston,landscapearchitectswholaidouttwobeds,eachonehundredfeetlong,plusseventeenflowerbeds.Thebeds,alllaidoutgeometrically,wereedgedwithbrick,accordingtothecustomofthetimes.Togivethegardenliteraryinterest,stakelabelswereplacedinthebedswiththebotanicalandfolknames,andquotationsabouttheflowers.Onlytheoldvarietiesofplantswereusedinthegarden,manyobtainedfromEngland.Rockgardenplantswereadded,herbsandarosebedofold-fashionedrosesincludingtheRosaDamascena,theoriginalroseofDamascusandtheclimbing"Maiden'sBlush"whichrambledoverAnneHathaway'scottage.Treeswereplanted,amongthemHolly,EnglishHawthorn,Mulberry,andTaxus(Yew),clippedintopiarystyle.SundialswerethelatestrageinEnglandduringShakespeare'stime,soourgardenwasgivenone,encircledwithEnglishivy.Arusticarborwasbuilt,leadingintothegarden.Thearborisshadedbyahoneysucklevinecalledwoodbine,andborderedbywild-thymeandEglantinewithitssweetfruityfragrance.VolunteerOpportunities:PleasecontactMargaretChowdhuryfordetailsat:mc@morescape.comAddress:CedarBrookPark,ParkAvenueandRandolphRoad,PlainfieldFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:MargaretChowdhury,mc@morescape.com

RAHWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MasterGardenersofUnionCountytogetherwiththeRahwayGardenClubrestoredthegroundssurroundingtheMerchantsandDroversTavernMuseum,locallyknownas“TheGirlScoutHouse”.Theycontinuetomaintainthepropertybyplantingautumnbulbsandspringflowers.LocalGirlScouttroopsalsoparticipateandlearnplantingtechniquestoencouragealastingloveforgardening.Currentplansaretoestablishanativepollinatorandbutterflygarden.VolunteerOpportunities:Volunteersneededforweedingandmaintainingthegarden,usuallyweekdayearlyeveningsduringthegrowingseason.Address:St.GeorgesAvenueandWestGrandAvenue,RahwayFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:JamesKeane,jkeane54@aol.com,orcall732-382-9727

REEVES-REED ARBORETUM GARDEN DOCENT PROGRAM

TheGardenDocentsatReeves-ReedArboretumleadinformativeandinspiringgrouptoursofthegardensandgrounds.GardenDocentsshouldbecomfortablewithpublicspeaking.

Traininginnotablefeatures,plantcollections,andArboretumhistorywillbeprovided.

VolunteerOpportunities:Mosttourswilltakeplaceonweekdays.Trainingbeginsintheearlyspring,withtourstakingplaceinspring-earlyfall.Trainingincludesaclassroomcomponent,opportunitiestofollowtoursandopportunitiestoleadpracticetours.Address:Reeves-ReedArboretum,165HobartAvenue,SummitFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:LisaMartin:l.martin@reeves-reedarboretum.org,orcall908-273-8787ext.1313

SEEDS FOR HOPE

SeedsForHopewasfoundedin2007tosharethebeautyofflowerswithcancerpatients,theircaregiversandcancerorganizations.Itwasasearchforhealingaftertheirowncancerjourneysinspiredthem,twoNewJerseyMasterGardeners,tocreatethisnonprofit.Theyweredrawntogetherbytheloveofflowersandfoundsolacefromgardeningtogether.Theybelievefewthingsareasbeautifulasagardenbouquet.SeedsForHopedeliversthejoyofbeautiful,freshflowers.ThefirstSeedsForHopeCuttingGardenwasestablishedwithintheDemonstrationGardensoftheMasterGardenersofUnionCounty.Ithasnowgrowntothreegardens,providingtheflowersusedinthousandsofbouquetsgiventocancerpatients,caregiversandcancerorganizationseachyear.SeedsforHopeprovidesfloralarrangementsweeklyto4localcancertreatmentfacilities,andasrequestedformanycancerorganizationalevents.VolunteerOpportunities:Twoormorevolunteerstocreatefloralarrangementsanddelivertothefollowingcancertreatmentcentersoradditionalcancercenters:OverlookHospitalInpatientCancerCenter,99BeauvoirAve,SummitOverlookHospitalOutpatientCancerCenter,99BeauvoirAve,SummitSpringfieldInfusionCenter,385MorrisAve,SpringfieldTrinitasCancerCenter,225WilliamsStreet,ElizabethFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:JoannGornowski:jgornowski@comcast.net

LIBERTYHALLFARMATKEANUNIVERSITYAProjectofGroundworkElizabeth

GroundworkElizabeth’sComeGrowWithUs!CommunityGarden&FarmPartnershiphaspartneredwithKeanUniversitytostewardthe10-acreLibertyHallFarmatKeanUniversity.Thefarm’smissionistoincreaseaccesstosustainablygrowncropsandprovideaccompanyingeducationalopportunitiesinordertoimprovenutritionalhabitsandincreaseenvironmentalawareness.LibertyHallFarmdonates30%ofitsproducetolocalfeedingprograms.VolunteerOpportunities:VolunteersarewelcomebyappointmentandatourmonthlyFarmFunDayswhichrunMaytoNovemberonthesecondFriday11am–7pm,Saturday(10am-2pm)andSunday(noon-5pm)ofeachmonth.Address:KeanUniversity’sLibertyHallCampus1003MorrisAvenue,UnionFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:GroundworkElizabethFarm&GardenDirectorJackieParkAlbaumatJackie@groundworkelizabeth.comorcall917-655-5638

TOWNSHIP OF UNION COMMUNITY GARDEN

TheTownshipofUnionCommunityGarden(“ToUCG”)isnewlycreated.ToUCGisanonprofitmembershiporganizationofprofessionals,volunteersandsupportersofcommunitygreeninginoururbancommunity.Itrecognizesthatcommunitygardeningimprovesqualityoflifebyprovidingacatalystforneighborhoodandcommunitydevelopment,stimulatingsocialinteraction,encouragingself-reliance,beautifyingneighborhoods,producingnutritiousfood,reducingfamilyfoodbudgets,conservingresourcesandcreatingopportunitiesforrecreation,exercise,therapyandeducation.VolunteerOpportunities:Weareworkingonabutterflygarden,buildingraisedbeds,settinguparainbarrelguttersystem,movingwoodchips,fillingnewbedswithsoilandmushroomcompostSpringClean-upandFallClean-updatestobeannounced;Address:locatedinEleanorR.EriksonParkoffLibertyAve.inUnionFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:MGProjectLeader,AdrienneKubicz,info@unioncommunitygarden.org,orcall908-347-7736Website:www.unioncommunitygarden.orgFacebookpage:www.facebook.com/unioncommunitygarden.org

GARDENS AT MILLER-CORY HOUSE

TheGardensatMiller-CoryHousehavebeenrestored,asnearlyaspossible,towhattheymighthavebeenlikeinthe18thcentury.Ingeneral,anyplantthatisknownnottohavegrowninthiserahasbeenremoved.

Theherbsareprobablytheonlyplantsthathaveremainedintheiroriginalstateasverylittlehybridizinghasbeendonewithmostofthem.Theywerenotconsideredimportantaftertheadventofmoremodernmedicineandbetterfoodstoragefacilities.

Anorchardhasbeenstartedbyplantingthesamevarietyoffruittreesthatweregrownincolonialtimes.

Inthekitchen(orvegetable)gardenfoodsaregrownfromcolonialtimessuchascarrots,beets,polebeansandJerusalemartichokes.

Thevarietiesofroses,growninthe18thcentury,arenotoftenseeninthemodernrosegarden.Theyusuallybloom,onlyonceeachseason,buttheirperfumeisheadyandtheyareprizedfortheirrosehips(seedpods).Today'srosesaretheresultofcrossbreedingdifferentvarietiesofoldroses.

VolunteerOpportunities:EarlySpringtoFall;usuallyonceaweek,butvolunteersareabletoworkasmuchoraslittleasdesiredAddress:614MountainAvenue,WestfieldFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:InesSchantz,ischantz@gmx.de

MITZVAH GARDEN

TheMitzvahGardencameabouttodevelopandimplementanorganicvegetablegardenwhichwouldserveseveralcommunity-basedfunctions.Intheseuncertaineconomictimes,andeveninmoresecureeconomictimes,therearefamiliesinandaroundourcommunitywhoareinneedofsuchbasicresourcesasfreshproduce.TheMitzvahGardenlocatedatTempleEmanu-ElWestfieldhastwolocations,oneinthecourtyardofthetempleandthemaingardennextdoorattheLavyHousewherethreeraisedbedswereconstructed.Thecourtyardgrowsmainlyherbs,alongwithsomebeansandtomatoes.TheLavyHousegardengrowsavarietyofvegetablesfromlettuce,squash,radishes,beans,peppers,etc.AllproduceisdonatedtotheWestfieldFoodPantrylocatedinTheCatholicChurchoftheHolyTrinityinWestfield.VolunteerOpportunities:MidAprilvolunteersmeettocleanupandpreparethegardensforplanting.Thisisnotabigjobsincesomepreparationofthegardenwillbedoneattheendofthegardenseason.Initially6gardenersareneeded.Aftertheinitialplanting,gardenersareneededweeklyforwatering,weedingandharvesting.(Thelatterisseveralweeksorinsomecasesmonthsafterplanting.)Thesummerisourhardesttimesincethepreschoolers,wholiketowaterthecourtyardgardenarenotavailable.SprinklersareinstalledattheLavyHouse,twogardenersneededperweekfromtheendofMayuntilSeptembertowater,weedandharvest.VolunteersforeachweekareresponsiblefortakingtheharvesttotheFoodPantry.InNovember,6-8volunteersareneededforfinalclean-upandmulchingforthenextseason.Address: TempleEmanu-El,756E.BroadSt.,Westfield LavyHouse(totherightoftheTempleparkinglot) WestfieldFormoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:EleanorPeris,elperis@aol.com,908-403-8850

WOODBRIDGERAINGARDEN

TheWoodbridgeRainGardenisaMasterGardenerprojectthatislocatedbehindtheWoodbridgeBoardofHealthBuilding.ItisoneofthefirstraingardenstobeplantedbytheMasterGardenersafterattendingatrainingprogrampresentedbyChristopherObropta,Ph.D.,P.E.,AssistantExtensionSpecialist,WaterResourceProgram,AssistantProfessor,DepartmentofEnvironmentalSciences.TheraingardenwasfundedbyaNJDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection319grantandinstalledinJune2006TheprojectwasdoneincollaborationwithWoodbridgeTownshipandtheRutgersCooperativeExtensionWaterResourceProgramandMasterGardenersofUnionCounty.Thesitewasselectedasanideallocationforaraingardentoresolveafloodingprobleminsidetherearofthisonestorybuilding.Therearetwocommercial-typedrainagepipescomingofftheroofofthebuildingthatdrainintobothsidesoftheraingarden.Theplantingconsistsofnativeplantsandtreesthatgrowwellinwetareas.Thisraingardenhasbeensuccessfulinitspurposebyalleviatingthefloodingproblemthatwasoccurringinsidethebuilding.Theemployeesalsoenjoyseeingthevariousbirdsandoccasionalrabbitsthatvisitthegarden.VolunteerOpportunities:Inearlyspringeachyearaonedayclean-upisscheduledwithMasterGardeners.Pruningandmulchingisdoneasneeded.Duringextendeddryspells,aMasterGardenerhooksupthehosetowatertheraingarden.Thisestablishedraingardenhasbeenrathereasytomaintain.Address:2GeorgeFrederickPlaza,Woodbridge,N.J.offRoute35South,behindtheWoodbridgeBoardofHealthBuilding,Formoreinformationortovolunteer,pleasecontact:LindaHenry,lindafhenry@comcast.net.

AppendixA

MASTERGARDENERCOMMUNITYBEAUTIFICATIONPROPOSAL

ProjectNameandLocation:________________________________________________________________ProjectObjective:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ProjectTimeline:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________MaintenancePlan:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Submittedby:__________________________________________________________________

(Pleaseincludename,contactnumberandemailaddress)