Plum Beach Garden Club
ESTABLISHED 1927
Our Projects
Old Library Park
The beautiful park in the center of Historic Wickford has long been a project of Plum Beach Garden Club.
First dedicated in 1985 ...
In the early 1980’s, it was a forlorn vacant lot next to the old Library on Brown Street. The North Kingstown Planning Department invited PBGC to submit plans for beautifying this high-profile location, and together they worked to create a more inviting public space. It was completed and dedicated in 1985.
Renovated and re-dedicated in 2003...
By 2000, the Park needed a rejuvenation, so the Club went to work again to raise the funds necessary – more than $30,000. The renovation was completed and dedicated in 2003.
"The Readers" ...
Be sure to visit this whimsical bronze statue -- purchased and installed by PBGC in 2005.
Throughout each year, PBGC members weed, prune, plant and care for this park enjoyed
by so many.
The sale of custom engraved bricks in the walk has been a major source of fund raising for PBGC since 1997.
Youth Education
Members of PBGC visit elementary students at local schools to explain the importance of monarch butterflies as pollinators.
Together they have planted milkweed gardens.The undersides of milkweed leaves are the only place monarchs lay their eggs. Which is why milkweed is essential to the existence of monarch butterflies.
The three traffic islands at the intersection of Route 1 and West Main Street are considered the “Gateway to Wickford Village”.
Plum Beach Garden Club spent four years working to get state and local approvals to beautify this high-profile location. They planned and designed the space, and raised $50,000 to accomplish this project. The club was able to replicate the beautiful Welcome to Wickford sign thanks to a generous donation of $6,000 from the Wickford Historical Society.
In 2009 the efforts of this major project were rewarded when it was designated and dedicated as a Blue Star
Memorial By-Way.
Blue Star Memorial markers are part of a nationwide network of thousands of locations throughout the USA honoring the Armed Forces of America, past and present … a program started by National Garden Clubs after WWII.
This is a RIDOT Adopt-A-Spot location.
Click to read the Senate Resolution in 2009 honoring the
Plum Beach Garden Club for this project.
Gilbert Stuart Herb Garden
For decades, Plum Beach Garden Club has been tending this treasure at Gilbert Stuart’s birthplace. In 2003, more than $3,000 was raised by PBGC to renovate and expand this recreation of an18th century herb garden.
Blue Star Memorial Traffic Islands
Anne Wallau Garden
Pollinator Habitat at Casey Farm
Plum Beach Garden Club, in partnership with Pollinator Rescue Project RI, began the creation of a Pollinator Habitat at Casey Farm in 2016. Funding for the project was facilitated by PBGC member Carol Gjelsvik. PBGC has been active in the planting and the maintenance of the Pollinator Habitat.
All are invited to visit this garden that is part of the mission to educate and demonstrate how pollinator friendly gardens can be established on any scale.
Hussey Bridge Garden
Anne Wallau Garden in Updike Park
The charming Anne Wallau Garden at the corner of Updike Park provides a perfect place for people to sit and relax on a stroll through Wickford. ANNE’S GARDEN was planned and planted by Plum Beach Garden Club in 1996 and was funded by family and friends of Anne as a tribute to her memory. PBGC continues the upkeep and maintenance of Anne's Garden and is grateful to Anne’s brother, Alex, for his recent donation of $5,000 in support of our projects.
Daffodil Project
In the Fall of 2016, the PBGC planted hundreds of daffodils to kick off a new community beautification project. Since then, more than 16,000 daffodils have been planted all around town.
In November 2017, after a year of planning, members of Plum Beach Garden Club started work on one of their newest project - the Hussey Bridge Garden at the corner of Brown Street.
A thoughtful landscape plan for this very visible corner was created by Linda Oliver Hughes, and the project will continue to be shepherded by Donnalee Fronce. This is a RIDOT Adopt-A-Spot location.
Historic Wickford Sign
Arbor Garden in Updike Park
In October 2020 PBGC renovated a neglected corner in Updike Park, directly to the right as you enter from West Main St. under the landmark Arch.
The project was made possible by generous contributions from Kostas Karampetsos, proprietor of Tavern By The Sea, and Joe Kolb, owner of Wickford Wealth Management, pictured (l to R) with PBGC President Kathleen Romeo and Civic Beautification Chair Linda Sollitto.
Members coordinated the refurbishing of the Historic Wickford sign near the old Town Hall on Route 1A, and maintain the landscaping around the sign. This was one of the first locations that benefited from the Daffodil Project in 2016.
Holiday Traditions
Every December Plum Beach Garden Club decorates and delivers a wreath to shine a holiday spotlight on North Kingstown’s finest at the North Kingstown Police and Fire Headquarter.
On the other side of town, members put up and decorate trees in Old Library Park. This tradition dates back more than 20 years and is reason to include the park on a stroll through Wickford Village’s Festival of Lights each year.
Nursing Home Project
PBGC members visit local nursing homes during the year to help the residents create flower arrangements for their rooms.
North Kingstown Food Pantry
In 2015, club members
coordinated the design and
installation of new landscaping
at the Food Pantry. Members
help maintain the gardens, and bought a lawn mower for this worthy organization. Every year PBGC members individually contribute money at the holiday season to the Food Pantry, and PBGC matches their contributions.
Meals on Wheels
To celebrate holidays and seasons members create flower arrangements that are delivered with Meals on Wheels.
PBGC makes annual donations to:
• RIFGC, Inc, Life Member Group
• North Kingstown Food Pantry
• Gilbert Stuart Herb Garden