Submitted by Brenda Flahault
A waterfall, flowing pond and aquatic plants will beautify the Cranford Community Center (CCC) atrium and provide a bubbling, relaxing sound for everyone to enjoy. Construction will start this spring. The water feature will be located on the left side of the atrium near the fireplace and will restore the current dormant water garden built in 2009.
Cranford’s three garden clubs: The Floraphile Garden Club, the Garden Club of Cranford, and the Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford, under the direction of Chairperson Deb Murphy, had applied to the National Garden Clubs (NGC) for funds for the project, and received a “Plant America” grant to get started, the only NGC grant awarded to garden clubs in New Jersey. The three clubs have been collaborating with Cranford Recreational Director Steve Robertazzi since February to design the new water garden.
The pond will be constructed by Robert Bellek of Lily Pad Ponds, an award-winning, creative aquatic designer and frequent speaker at Rutgers University’s horticultural programs, and will include trickling water, a pond with water lilies, lighting, assorted woodland plants and stone.
The local community can help support this project by attending a delicious, elaborate gourmet brunch buffet at the Pairings Palate and Plate restaurant at 10 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey, on Sunday June 10, 2018, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. BYO Prosecco/Wine. Tickets: $55 per person. Contact Sue Matlosz at CRANFORDWATERGARDEN@gmail.com to purchase or buy at the front desk at the Cranford Public Library at 224 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey. Seating is limited so please do not delay reserving your tickets.
(above) Members of the Floraphile Garden Club, the Garden Club of Cranford, and the Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford, along with Township employees, work at the CCC preparing for the new water garden feature installation.
