The garden as imagined by designer Georgina Scholl in January 2003 |
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Three centuries ago, Redding‚'s founding fathers organized their local militia on what is now Redding Town Green. A Parade Ground, as it was known, was at the center of practically every colonial town. A portion of the original ten acre lot is still used as a town gathering place. The Parade Path was created on the neglected periphery of this space in 2003 in an effort to highlight this piece of Redding‚Äôs rich history.
In just 3 years the garden has matured into a botanical walk into the past, with native and introduced plantings progressing back from the 1900s to the Revolutionary Era. Each variety of plant is identified by a botanical label which also gives the date of introduction of that plant to this part of New England. The Parade Path is used by the Redding schools for history and botany tours and is much admired at every Concert on the Green. It is recognized in the Garden Conservancy Open Days scheme as a public and historic garden. Although not a Redding Garden Club project, the Club was recently recognized by the Federated Garden Clubs of America for their contributions to the Parade Path. The many donated trees, benches and other named gifts in the garden honor those dedicated and selfless residents of Redding who have worked
tirelessly to preserve the uniqueness of our town. There are also many personal dedications.
The Parade Path was created solely by volunteers and with donor funding and the intent is to maintain it in that same spirit. The design and ongoing supervision of the garden is the voluntary work of Redding landscape designer, Georgina Scholl.
The 100 original contributors to the Parade Path showed both generosity and pioneering spirit in their willingness to support a project that was still a seed. Recently the organizers asked for their renewed support and for support from new donors. There are also many opportunities to make new named donations at the $300 plus level.
The Parade Path recently received a generous donation from Meadow Ridge Life Care Retirement Community in the form of a supporting grant for $2500. The plaque recognizing this donation will be placed on one of three native boulders installed in the lawn near the group of apple trees. One more of these beautiful lichen- and moss-encrusted seats is still available for a new donor to adopt.
Gift cards and T-shirts are on sale at Town Hall and the Mark Twain Library. All gifts will be gratefully acknowledged and permanently recorded at Town Hall in the beautiful "Book of Donors" with hand calligraphy by Sally Dimon of Meadow Ridge.
Donations payable to "The Parade Path" can be
mailed to: Jill Barberie, 9 Shady Lane, Redding, CT 06896
All donations are tax deductible.
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Annual Supporter:
___$25-$50 |
Continental Soldier |
___$51-$100 |
Minuteman |
___$101-$249 |
Patriot |
___$250 + |
Guardian of Liberty |
Named Gift Opportunities:
Each of the following gifts will be recognized with a personalized plaque. Please contact Georgina Scholl at gscholl@optonline.net to discuss the wording for your plaque.
___$300 |
10 botanical marker stones Carved with dates and placed in the planting beds. |
___$300 |
Collection of historic bulbs |
___$350 |
Heritage apple tree |
___$500 |
Beautification grant For materials, perennials, annuals etc. |
___$1000 |
Sprinkler irrigation system Already installed, needs a sponsor. |
___$2500+ |
Supporting grant: American Elm tree |
Next planned Parade Path activity or event: Please come any day for a self guided walk. The plants are labeled. Please help maintain the garden by removing dandelions or other weeds from the beds and gravel paths. Guided tours of the Parade Path will be given to Redding Elementary School children on May 28, led by designer Georgina Scholl. A volunteer work day will be held on Thursday June 12 from 11am to 3pm when woodchips will be spread along the access path behind the beds, and some stone wall repair work will be carried out plus weeding and planting some annuals and herbs. Please bring water, work gloves, a rake, shovel or pry bar or hand tools. Gift cards, T shirts, sweatshirts and copies of the new Garden Conservancy Open Days Directory are available for sale in Town Hall, Selectman's Office.
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