The Rockaway Valley Garden Club (RVGC) provides a broad range of activities for its members.
Emilie Hammond Wildflower Trail
Lee by the trail
The Wildflower Trail in the Tourne County Park, Boonton Township, was established in 1961 and created by our garden club. The trail encompasses several habitats: dry and moist hillsides, stream banks, swamps and wetlands. It is home to a variety of native woodland plants, which bloom throughout the seasons. Since 1998, a deer fence installed by the Morris County Park Commission has protected these fragile plants. RVGC volunteers plant new native flora each year and label them as they maintain the trails and remove invasive species and poison ivy. An informative kiosk, also maintained by the RVGC, welcomes visitors at the gate.
The Club offers guided tours of the Trail to school groups, scout troops, other garden clubs and community organizations as well as interested members of the community.
The Club offers guided tours of the Trail to school groups, scout troops, other garden clubs and community organizations as well as interested members of the community.
Landscape Committee
Municipal building entrance
The landscape committee beautifies two public spaces in Boonton Township; the municipal building and the "Triangle". At the municipal building, we maintain the planters at the entrance with seasonal bedding plants. We also decorate the exterior of the building and grounds. In the fall, you may find pumpkins, hay bails and cornstalks. In the winter, wreaths on the building, garlands and bows on the announcement board in the front and decorative greens in the planters.
Annual Plant Sale
Every year on the Saturday before Mother's Day, we hold our annual plant sale in Michelangelo's Restaurant parking lot in Boonton, across from King's Shopping Center. The sale runs from 8 am to noon, rain or shine. A large selection of plants grown in Morris County are offered for sale at bargain prices. You'll find an unique variety, not found at your typical garden center. We offer annuals, perennials, native plants, hanging baskets, customized planters, baked goods and special gift items. All proceeds benefit the charitable efforts of the club.
RVGC encourages the use of native plants in the local landscape. Native plants offered for sale include trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
RVGC encourages the use of native plants in the local landscape. Native plants offered for sale include trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
Historic Restoration Committee
Miller-Kingsland House
We are involved in two ongoing projects: the Miller-Kingsland Gardens Restoration and the Scott Cemetery Groundcover Restoration. The Miller-Kingsland House, located in Boonton, was built in 1740 and is listed on both the NJ and National Registers of Historic Places. members of the club are restoring the neglected gardens in this Dutch-Colonial building.
The historic Scott Cemetery is also in Boonton Township and is the family burial grounds for early local settler Joseph Scott and his descendants. The daughter of the present property owner has chosen to restore the overgrown cemetery as a Girl Scout Gold Award project. RVGC members are providing the assistance with plant identification, invasive plan removal and new plantings.
The historic Scott Cemetery is also in Boonton Township and is the family burial grounds for early local settler Joseph Scott and his descendants. The daughter of the present property owner has chosen to restore the overgrown cemetery as a Girl Scout Gold Award project. RVGC members are providing the assistance with plant identification, invasive plan removal and new plantings.
Conservation and Nature... The "Green" Committee
The Conservation and Nature Committee's goals are to inform RVGC members of good conservation practices they can use in their homes and gardens and share with others. The committee updates members on federal, state and local environmental legislation and issues that affect our natural resources so that we can better protect and improve our environment.
Arlene Persson Memorial Scholarship
Taken in 1961, Arlene is in the center.
The Arlene Persson Memorial Scholarship of up to $1,000 is presented to one or more graduating seniors from Boonton or Mt. Lakes High School. The scholarship is given in memory of Arlene Persson, who was instrumental in the formation of the RVGC in 1955. The scholarship is presented to a senior who has demonstrated effort and interest in horticulture and/or has helped increase awareness of environmental issues at school or in the community. A short essay and high school transcript are required. Deadline for application is April 15.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum Intern Program
Each year a $500 contribution is given to the Frelinghuysen Arboretum for their intern program. The intern program is open to all ages for those individuals with a strong interest in hands-on horticulture and in working at the arboretum. The program is an eight-week study course followed by three-four months of work at the arboretum.
Big Tree Report
In 2010, as part of the Club’s "Living Green" objectives, we updated and expanded the earlier report entitled Come hug a tree with us; Big, interesting and
historic trees, Boonton Township area. It's filled with photos and descriptions of the area’s native trees and their importance to our well-being. The report is available for downloading on the Rutger’s website by clicking the bolded text above.
Trips
One of the highlights of each RVGC year is time spent on the terrific trips our members take together. We travel locally by carpooling; and far and wide, by bus, visiting neighboring states. We tour fabulous farms, glorious gardens and amazing arboretums. These excursions always provide an outstanding experience. They offer a chance to bone up on gardening techniques, learn about new plant varieties, enjoy one another's company and experience delicious dining. The destinations vary from famous to the virtually unknown, from public and private spaces to historic and innovative places. The one thing they all have in common is "stimulation of the mind and body".
Monthly Programs
The RVGC has a program immediately following our monthly business meetings. Please see our "Meetings & Events" page for more details.