Rapid Ann Garden Club Civic Beautification

The appearance of a community has a significant impact on how people operate within and perceive their environment. It also influences what types of people and businesses are drawn to a place over time. Therefore, maintaining, beautifying and improving one's community is a necessary and important endeavor to be shared by all it's members.

The Art Center in Orange identified an area behind their building in need of improvement. And the Rapid Ann Garden Club set about doing it.

Area behind art center - BEFORE

A raised bed garden was decided upon. Funds were requested and awarded via a grant from the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs (VFGC) for materials which included lumber and hardware for the bed itself, soil, landscaping fabric, plants, seeds and bulbs.

Although the Rapid Ann Garden Club spearheaded the project, several youth groups were involved: Boys and Girls Club, 4-H and Girl Scouts. This was a wonderful educational opportunity for the children to learn about the plants and experience planting a garden.

The garden was completed in April 2022. It's had a full season to bloom and mature and is quite beautiful. It's maintained by the art center staff and other volunteers. It has easy access, can by seen from the street and enjoyed by anyone. It also benefits birds and pollinators.

There's a saying, “Many hands make the work light.” And this is true. 20 members (~90%) of the Rapid Ann Garden Club participated in the project. Additionally, the club contributed $126.00 from it's own treasury for materials. Funds and time well spent, as the garden will impact many people who pass it, sit by it and admire its on going beauty.

AFTER - Area behind art center with raised bed garden and painted wall art.