New Children’s Garden Now Open At Stokes Brown Public Library
The Stokes Brown Public Library and Friends of the Library celebrated the opening of the new Children’s Garden with its official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony held on May 23, 2024.
The children’s garden was in much need of repair and was in large part made possible by a generous donation in memory of Jackie Guthrie. The Friends of the Gorham-MacBane Library spearheaded the project with the following committee: Susan Guthrie, Joyce Munda, Jennie Waddington, Sue Lantz, and the late Anne Rausch, who was instrumental in the idea and vision for the garden. Unfortunately, she was unable to see the garden completed.
Blueberry bushes were planted along the edge of the artificial turf in her honor.
The garden was raised to one level from a slope, with artificial grass, raised flower/garden beds, a playable chime, concrete log, mud kitchen, sorting blocks and rocks, and a tortoise house for our very own mascot Dewey.
The garden offers an opportunity for children, families and community members a place to learn gardening basics, natural resources and more.
The UT extension office has been working with the homeschool learning group to plant a community garden. The children have been busy planting vegetables in the new raised beds with hopes they will be harvesting vegetables in the late summer and fall.
The Stokes Brown Public Library would like to thank the following for their donations and time: Judy Phillips, the family of June Burr, Susan Marks, Dr. Sabi and Linda Kumar, UT Extension-Robertson County, Standing Stone Nursery, Wyatt Landscaping, The Louis R. Draughon Foundation, the Stokes Brown Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Gorham-McBane Library.
“We appreciate all those who have worked to create this beautiful space for the kids.”
Pictured L to R: Senator Kerry Roberts, Sharon Hargraves, Edison and Susan Guthrie, Jeff and Lori Bradley, Jennie Waddington, Ed Lantz, Wyatt Plank, Cindy Sneed, Michelle Adcock, Lauren Patterson, and Rachel Ragland.