Lewiston Garden Club lends hand to Hennepin Park improvements

Submitted by the Lewiston Garden Club

Did you know that, over the past two years, the Lewiston Garden Club engaged in a project to improve Hennepin Park, which is located at the southwest corner of Center Street and South Fourth Street in the Village of Lewiston?

Lewiston Garden Club member Marianne Gittermann managed the major improvement project for the club. Resources for the project came from monies donated by benefactors and funds raised by the Garden Club. Improvements made include: six new metal benches, an accessible metal picnic table, two new metal trash receptacles, replacement of the brick walkway with a safer concrete one, and a concrete pad under the picnic table. In addition to these improvements, an uplighting system was installed in the park.

Other improvements made by the club last year included: the updating of plants in the raised garden, leveling of the fountain, new flower boxes for the gazebo, and the purchase of metal baskets to hold flowers on the two lamp posts in front of the gazebo.

On an annual basis, the Garden Club purchases and plants flowers in the park. Daily, during the growing season, Garden Club members water the plants, fill the fountain, and weed, as necessary.

Recently, the club held its annual planting day, and members were busy planting and improving the garden beds at Hennepin Park, the Lewiston Museum, and the Lewiston Library.

Care of Hennepin Park has been a longstanding endeavor for the club, which was founded in June of 1927. The Garden Club is incredibly grateful to Francis and Marie Williams for their generosity that made the major project possible. A plaque was placed in the gazebo by the club to recognize them.

In addition to the donation from the Williams, proceeds from the club’s perennial sale and GardenFest were used for items not covered by donations.

(Photos by Robert Albee)