Trees for Goshen Goshen Garden Club

Trees for Goshen

Goshen Garden Club

CF News June/July 2025

           Arbor Day in Goshen began early with “Trees for Goshen” coordinator Mady Flynn.  She and her team have been working tirelessly for the past two years with Sustainable CT, DOT, Goshen Selectmen, arborist, Patrick Flynn, Goshen residents, and local businesses to prepare for and contribute to a major construction project at the Route 4 and Route 63 rotary intersection in town. The Sustainable Goshen Team, Goshen Garden Club and other “Trees for Goshen” volunteers want to plant trees along both sides of Route 63 and Route 4 on the four way approach to the rotary.

When the Sustainable Goshen Team earned the Bronze certificate for Goshen, they began looking for other projects. They collaborated with Sustainable CT for suggestions and conducted a townwide long-range planning session which included all organizations and business people of Goshen. Through a process of elimination, the consensus was “we want to beautify Goshen.” The core team of seven divided the responsibilities of print media, social media, holding information sessions with various town organizations and schools, local businesses, and meetings with DOT, etc.

Eleven trees – red maples, white oaks, redbuds, and flowering dogwoods — were planted in front of the Town Hall, Goshen Center School and the front lawn of a neighboring town resident. “Trees for Goshen” was created in preparation for a major construction project at the rotary in the center of town in 2027.

Under the direction of Lakeview High School’s Vocational Agriculture instructor, Tom DiMarco, several students of the “Stakeholders Engagement Committee” volunteered to assist with the planting, mulching, & raking of existing garden beds in front of the Town Hall.  Mr. Flynn instructed the students in several aspects of planting newly transplanted trees for their success.

“Trees for Goshen” does not rely on tax money and more than $4,000 was raised privately and was matched dollar for dollar by Sustainable CT.

GOSHEN GARDEN CLUB RECEIVES AWARDS

Nan Merolla, President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. presented Janice Martin, President of the Goshen Garden Club, with two awards.

The first citation was awarded for the successful Regional Round Table that was hosted by the Goshen Garden Club at Camp Cochipianee.

The second award was in recognition of the contributions the Goshen Garden Club is making to the Trees for Goshen project.

GOSHEN GARDEN CLUB 2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT