Monday, December 10, 2012

Introducing Friends of the Garden of Ideas!





It’s been nearly twenty years since we first welcomed visitors to the Garden of Ideas.    What started with a collection of plants in the back yard has grown into seven acres burgeoning with flora, fauna, and outdoor art--an oasis of tranquility in Ridgefield.

We estimate that approximately ten thousand people of all ages visit the Garden each year.     There is no admission charge or fee of any sort.    

As we’ve aged, oh so reluctantly, we’ve recognized a need to plan for the future.   The question for us has become how do we sustain and improve the Garden of Ideas and plan for it to become an important and lasting fixture in the town of Ridgefield.   To that end, we’ve formed a non-profit entity to help us develop the property into Ridgefield’s own botanical garden.   

Our initial goals are modest.  We’d like to:

install educational signage;
build a public restroom facility;
repair the marsh boardwalk;
hire an employee to perform some garden maintenance;
as farm growing is moved to other fields, transition that space back to more ornamental and creative uses;
establish  volunteer opportunities;
design a beginning educational program for children;
develop a website.

Our long-term goals involve land acquisition and expansion of the educational program to provide diverse offerings in botany, gardening, agriculture, ornithology, art, and the natural world to all ages.

If you believe our vision is worth supporting, please consider making a fully tax deductible
contribution to the Friends of the Garden of Ideas.  We need and appreciate your support! We've even provided a handy PAYPAL donation button over on the right.

We would also like to encourage anyone who would like to volunteer to contact us.  A vibrant volunteer group is vital to our mission.

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