Project GREEN Gardens will begin its 2025 work sessions beginning Monday, May 5 from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Project GREEN Gardens, 820 Park Road.
Volunteers will meet each Monday through October. Our first day’s goal will include clearing garden beds from winter’s twigs, limbs, and branches. We will make piles of debris that Steve Erickson and his crew from Parks and Recreation will gather for us. The debris will be taken to the landfill. Our two hours will go quickly and it’ll be fun to reconnect with Project GREEN volunteers past and present! Remember, anyone and everyone is invited to join our merry band of gardeners! We will have some tools to share with volunteers. If any volunteer has tools of their own, use a permanent marker to write your name for an easy return. I will have a permanent marker to share. Please dress appropriately for outdoor work. We have gloves available for those who do not have their own. Project GREEN volunteers have been given permission to use the Ashton House lower level restroom.
When arriving, use the parking lot located to the left (west) of the 820 Park Road entrance. There is also extra parking along Normandy Drive or Lee Street. After parking, walk the length of the long driveway and I will be waiting in front of the garage. There is a weekly sign-in sheet and we will share morning announcements. Any new volunteer will be teamed with an experienced Project GREEN volunteer. Bring your own bottled water or drink. All will go smoothly and the Gardens will look oh-so-much-better after our two hours of work.
If the weather is uncooperative, I will use my list of volunteers and their email info for cancellation plans by 7 a.m. I have a list of past volunteers (2024 and years before) email addresses to send. Any new gardeners please send me (Diane) your information before May 5 and I will include your email with the 2025 Project GREEN Gardens volunteers.
The past two years Project GREEN volunteers have accumulated over 1000 hours each year of donated work caring for these very special Gardens. There’s no reason to expect 2025 to be different. There’s always lots to do at our 8+ acre park. We have lots of flower beds to plant and a few more 2025 surprises.
Work will begin in April and end in September for our REAP Grant. It will be fun to watch:
- a sidewalk connecting Normandy Drive to the end of the driveway.
- here will be a bird blind installed next to the meandering Iowa River.
- A firepit will be placed in the northern end of the Gardens with prairie plants around it along with permanent seating.
- We hope to place a design document on an inside wall of the garage helping us find $200,000 worth of new additions to watch for as our weeks together pass.
Please consider joining our gardening group. It’s a great way to learn about our Iowa City park system, make new friends, and join together as one with Project GREEN, making Project GREEN Gardens welcoming and beautiful for all.
Cheers from co-presidents Cindy Parsons and Diane Allen! Any questions or suggestions for the good? Contact me (Diane Allen).