Years of Service
Volunteers
Local Gardens
Garden Tours
in scholarships
Warwick Valley Gardeners is a member the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc., as well as the National Council of State Garden Clubs. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and have varying degrees of gardening experience.
As a nonprofit organization, all proceeds from the Garden Tour and other fundraisers are used to enrich and beautify the Warwick community.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
Warwick Valley Gardeners seek to develop an active interest in gardening and horticulture, aid in the protection of wildflowers, birds, and insect habitats, encourage the conservation of natural resources, promote the benefits of garden therapy, and stimulate interest in community service and civic beautification.
Experience the Flower power!
Visit Our Gardens
RAILROAD GREEN gardens
Chair: Cathy Garofalo • Located at the corner of Oakland Avenue and Railroad Avenue are the fountain planters and perennial gardens in Railroad Green Park. This was designed in 1992 with the help of renowned gardening author Ken Druse. Our largest garden, located in the center of the Village of Warwick, is the hub of events for our club and our community. Year round you can see people of all ages enjoying the award-winning landscape, relaxing on the lawn or swaying to music from a summer concert. In front of the flagpole, a memorial bench was placed dedicated to Dorothy Anderson who gave with enthusiasm and tireless energy to our club and many other organizations. We also planted a Weeping Redbud in memory of Ruth Durland, a long standing and committed member. Ruth participated in the design and continuing care of the Green which was important to her.
Pine Island Butterfly Garden/Habitat
Chair: Mary Pohlman • The Butterfly Garden and Habitat at the Pine Island Park continues to be a focal point of beauty and education for young and old alike. During peak butterfly season, children walk the paths in search of and counting how many different butterflies they can spot. The life cycle displays add to their knowledge as does the fun of the Monarch photo cutout.
Our efforts were rewarded this year with an increase in the Monarch population. Many other pollinators frequent the garden such as hummingbirds, bees and dragonflies. The wetlands garden (formerly the dragonfly area) also adds to the texture of the area as well as being a habitat for moisture-loving insects.
World Trade Center Memorial Garden
Chair: Janet Hauser • Located on the left side of Veterans’ Drive as one enters the park, this garden was designed in 2002. The tragedy that affected our nation left families still feeling the loss of seven residents. Alongside Wawayanda Creek, this memorial garden, which is illuminated at night, was designed with two black granite pillars representing the towers that are surrounded by plantings. Benches at the base of the pillars allow for quiet remembrance. A memorial ceremony is held at the Memorial annually on September 11.
Doc Beers Garden
Welcome to Warwick Garden, Forester Avenue
Co-Chairs: Gertrude Galligan, Camille Tanzella • Bordering Hallowed Ground Park and located at the corner of Galloway Road and Forester Avenue, this Four-Season Garden was established in 1996. In the spring, flowers and bulbs blanket the ground in front of gorgeous Kwanza Flowering Cherry trees. The garden flows into summer with a mix of annuals and perennials. Fall mums excite in purple and gold celebrating the school colors of Warwick and a winter scene welcomes all who are “Home for the Holidays.”
Local heroes' garden
Chair: Bettye Hill • The Local Heroes’ Garden was created to honor those Police, Fire, EMT and first Responders who put their lives on the line every day on our behalf. Created in an abandoned area at the end of Veterans’ Memorial Park by Warwick Valley Gardeners and members of the community, this lovely perennial garden offers a display of color and blooms throughout the growing seasons. In 2013 it was awarded First Place in the Community Gardens category by the Federated Garden Clubs of America. This garden is now maintained by the committee and volunteers from Warwick Grove.
Village hall garden
Chair: Marcela Gross • Village Hall Garden is a small but well-established perennial garden on the side of Village Hall on Wheeler Avenue. It is a four-season garden with daffodils and tulips in the spring and colorful annuals to augment the perennials of hydrangeas, roses, hosta, spirea, and sedums for the summer months. Ornamental cabbages are added for fall adornment and the winter berries are always a pop of red against the bleak winter snow.
Welcome to Warwick Garden, Rt. 17A/94
Co-Chairs: Nancy Arthur, Laurie Unick • Established in 1997, this garden is located on Route 94/17A south, a well traversed entry into Warwick Village. The welcoming sign surrounded by a tiny garden grabs your eye with its beauty. Dedicated and daring members of our garden club have climbed the steep slope to plant and maintain this garden with inspired seasonal designs.
The Flagpole Garden
Co-Chairs: Nancy Arthur, Ginny Adams • Located in the driveway in front of Warwick Town Hall at 132 Kings Highway, the circular bed of perennials and colorful grasses that coordinate with the two seasonal flower pots serve as the perfect accent for this imposing building. This garden was established in 1993.
We make a difference
Special Community Projects
HOLIDAY DECORATION
Chair: Laurie Unick • In November this committee ushers Railroad Green Park into the holiday spirit. The planters and green are decorated with colorful ribbons, swags, and lights that are lit in a ceremony enjoyed by children and adults alike.
donations and Fundraisers
In 2011 a hurricane followed by a tropical storm devastated our town and many of the farms that our area is known for. Warwick “Farm Aid” was organized to help our local farmers through fundraisers. Warwick Valley Gardeners donated some of the profits from our Barn sale.
Benches at RailRoad Green: From fundraiser proceeds we were able to order three benches to be placed in Railroad Green Park for the comfort of those visiting there.
Academic scholarship
Chair: Laurie Unick • This committee has been established to forge a relationship with Warwick Valley High School to create an annual scholarship in the field of horticulture and environmental science.
Garden Therapy
Chair: Mary Pohlman • Garden Therapy is the use of live plants to conduct plant and flower arranging workshops. WVG has a very active program at our local nursing facility, Mt. Alverno. Our club meets every few months to conduct workshops, such as simple planting and flower arranging projects. On Saturday mornings you will find members of this committee lending a helping hand in guiding the senior residents at Mt. Alverno, an Assisted Living Center on the St. Anthony Community Hospital campus. We have six activities throughout the year.
Pacem in Terris
Library book donations
Chair: Marcela Gross • As part of WVG’s mission to develop an interest in gardening and horticulture, the club donates to three libraries in the Warwick Valley Library system. Often, these donations include books for children to instill an interest in gardening at an early age.
Arbor Day
Chair: Pat Conroy Reinhardt • Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Over the years WVG has planted many trees in celebration of this event. The last Friday in April has been designated Arbor Day in New York State, and as always, the club will participate with a planting ceremony and observance.
Warwick in Bloom
The town of Warwick participated in “America in Bloom”, a national program committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification through community participation and won first prize in its population category. Warwick Valley Gardeners continue to work with this organization to beautify the village of Warwick.
Youth Gardeners
Chair: Mary Berrigan • The Youth Gardeners involve the youth of the town and community volunteer organizations to learn together about planting and care of the environment and their interdependence. Our 2015 project of establishing a naturalized Pollinators Garden in the Warwick Village’s historical Lewis Woodlands is an example. Currently our Youth Garden is located on the grounds of the Pine Island Elementary School. The committee helps children from several Town of Warwick elementary schools, plant and maintain a flower/vegetable garden. Children enjoy this activity and the produce and flowers from their garden!
Look Who’s getting their hands dirty!
Our Members
Laurie Unick
President
Cathy Garofalo
Executive Vice President
Pat Conroy Reinhardt
Vice President
Betsy Bowes and Jim Bowes
Co-Recording Secretaries
Camille Tanzella
Corresponding Secretaries
Elaine Huang
Treasurer
General Members
Ginny Adams
Nancy Arthur
Janice Ashe
Shawn Ashe
Catherine Bennett
Mary Berrigan
Mary Bollenbach
Betsy Bowes
Jim Bowes
Phyllis Briller
Ursula Brown
Laura Capps
Christine Carter
Martha Davis
Eileen De La Mota
Patricia Dooley
Barbara Draimin
Silvia Feldman
Karen Fisher
Cathy Garofalo
Mabelyn Glanzman
Marcela Gross
Janet Hauser
Bettye Hill
Ana Hirsh
Nicole Hixon
Elaine Huang
Kathryn Ives
Barbara Katz
Kristine Kent
Patti Leo
Amy Lewis Sweetman
Helene Mickowski
Janice Morell
Ellie Nye
Norma Pantojas-Lennox
Mary Pohlman
Heather Potter
Matthew Potter
Nilda Ramos
Pat Reinhardt
Bianca Sabogal
Ginger Schmidt
Mary Sellers
Eileen Shea
Bonnie Sherwood
Karen Simmons
Rosemary Solomon
Inga Spence
Linda Stambaugh
Camille Tanzella
Laurie Unick
Kathleen White
Associate Members
Haydee Atkins
Linda Babcock
MaryAnn Buckley
Roseann Crescimanno
Eleanor Falletta
Gert Galligan
Louise Gallo
Dolores Gaspari
Janice Geniti
Ann Green
Dorothy Haupt
Michele Hensel
Liz Holda
Judy LaPenna
Jackie Lawler
Vivian Ricupero-Logan
Eileen Marcos
Deanne Singer
Marge Smith
Gay Wallenburg
Honorary Members
Linda Fay
Jane Hamburger
Celia Kutney
Lori Testa