East Park Garden Club

60 Year Anniversary

“Why don’t we start a garden club?”

So, Homemakers on East Park Road Grand Island started it’s first and most active garden club in 1950.  Sixty years later we are still working at it.

The club is an accredited member of the 8^th District Federation of New York State, the Central Atlantic Region, and National Council of State Garden Clubs.

East Park Garden Club has initiated, designed, and completed many service projects:

1950’s – Our member, Hazel Link created an ornamental Crab Tree Project, Island wide and in 10 years.  1360 trees were planted – 130 on public sites.  This accomplishment led Hazel to enter the Beautify America contest, and to win a $300 award, and an invitation to a luncheon with first lady, “Lady-Bird” Johnson at the White House.

1963 – DeGlopper Memorial Park garden was installed to honor Grand Island Veterans, and the club maintained it for 38 years at which time the town put in a plaque to honor our service.

1969 – In conjunction with New York State, and the Federation of Garden Clubs, a Blue Star Memorial Plaque was erected at the North Grand Island Bridge in honor of all the Armed Forces that have protected our country.  In 2000 another plaque was re-dedicated at the South Grand Island Bridge.

2000 – In honor of our 50 years as a community organization a small low maintenance garden was planted in the playground area of Charlotte Sidway School, in memory of Hazel Link, who was a lifetime member of Sidway School PTA.

The club has presented flower shows to the community – free of charge, as a teaching tool, and an artistic endeavor.  Members also have entered projects in the Erie County Fair Flower Show.  East Park Garden Club has won town proclamations, and many awards.  Our club is a place where we learn, share, and preserve our environment in our community, our state, and globally.