Kanawha Garden Club: COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The purpose of the Community Projects Committee is to further Kanawha Garden Club's mission of promoting and aiding in civic improvement and beautification through the planning, planting and preservation of trees, flowers, and gardens in public and private areas. To these ends the committee contributes not only funds, but also the time, efforts and knowledge of its members.

Kanawha Garden Club meets this goal by supporting ongoing projects and by researching, financing and participating in new projects. One of KGC's long term projects was the Garden of Five Senses at Celebration Station, a large community playground adjacent to an elementary school that draws children from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition to beds focusing on perennials and shrubs there were raised beds that were planted in the summer with vegetables for the community.

Another project was providing some of the landscaping at Hubbard Hospice House; West Virginia's first residential hospice. Our 2000 project was to purchase a number of large trees needed along the entrance drive. In addition, Kanawha Garden Club funded a conifer garden that is part of a larger garden area at the rear of Hubbard Hospice House containing bird and butterfly gardens with handicapped paths and seating areas for patients and their families.

Front of The Hubbard Hospice House

Conifer Garden at the rear of
Hubbard Hospice House

Kanawha Garden Club helped establish Ruffner Park, a green garden or "passive park" on Kanawha Boulevard in Charleston. Trees were identified and signs were purchased and placed on the trees. The park is enjoyed by neighborhood residents and by employees from the West Virginia State Capitol who can walk two blocks to the Park and enjoy their lunches outside. The park is maintained by the city of Charleston with KGC maintaining the tree identification signs as an ongoing project.

In 2003-04, a $20,000 donation to the landscaping at the Clay Center. The club members had previously expressed a desire to make a large contribution to a project within the city. An ad hoc committee was assigned to research different ideas and the Clay Center was chosen.

In 2006, KGC made a $10,000 donation to the Bridge Road Neighborhood Association. These funds were applied to the creation of a gateway at the north entrance to the business district and also went towards a small flagstone patio with a bench that is used daily by mothers awaiting the arrival of the school bus. An additional donation was made in 2009 and applied towards plant purchase in the Friends of Fernbank area.

2009 brought the approval of $10,000 funding for the Gateway Greenspace project at Leon Sullivan and Washington streets, near the Clay Center. Funds were used for the purchase of plant materials at one of the landscaped terraces being constructed at this site.

In 2010, Kanawha Garden Club studied several different areas of Charleston looking for potential projects. The committee toured downtown Charleston from Davis Park to the Riverfront with city officials. In May KGC voted to undertake a year long feasibility study of Davis Park, working with the city of Charleston to see what renovations might be made. In addition, funds were given to provide trees at the Justice Row end of the Sunrise Carriage Trail. These trees are planted in a circular area surrounding large stones that were used as bridge foundation piers. Additional funds provided bulbs that we look forward to seeing in the spring of 2011.

In 2011, Kanawha Garden Club voted to undertake as our project a major renovation of Davis Park in conjunction with the City of Charleston. Over $100,000 was raised and used for new planting beds, cleaning and restoration of light poles and benches, long overdue pruning of trees and shrubs. This project is ongoing with additional peripheral projects being planned such as irrigation and introduction of artwork. A link to the entire project is provided here. Davis Park Revitalization Project

Spring 2016 brought the approval of the purchase of 10 native Acre rubrum trees that were planted along Leon Sullivan Boulevard between Washington & Lee Streets. This area borders a USPS parking lot and will help provide screening. The Clay Center is across the street. Leon Sullivan Boulevard is a gateway entrance to the City of Charleston.

Winter Scene on Justice Row

Kanawha GC has worked with The Carriage Trail Committee to fund two projects. The Carriage Trail is listed on the National Recreational Trail site. Trees providing shade at The Justice Row area of the trail were funded in 2011 . In 2016 a Monarch Garden was established and planted with three different types of milkweed to provide a host plant for the monarchs during their migration season.

The Friends of The Carriage Trail Facebook page provides photographs and up to date information.