Kids learn about gardening while enhancing Library Park

JONES COUNTY LIBRARY

  • Last week’s Summer Reading Program became hands-on, assisting with the planting of raised beds at the library. Contributed
    Last week’s Summer Reading Program became hands-on, assisting with the planting of raised beds at the library. Contributed
  • The library planting crew line up with Gray Garden Club members to display the finished product. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
    The library planting crew line up with Gray Garden Club members to display the finished product. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
  • Volunteers work with garden club members to plant the raised beds. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
    Volunteers work with garden club members to plant the raised beds. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

    Final touches are complete for the Jones County Library Park that will enhance the experience of library patrons for years to come.

    The outdoor area of the library, which is located at 146 Railroad Street, has been a joint effort that began two years ago under the leadership of Branch Manager Julie King.

    The Library Park project was funded with special purpose sales tax funds and bid out with other county park projects at the end of last year. Tables, benches and shade sails were installed May 25, and metal sculptures created and donated by Mark Smith were installed in the park by the artist June 28.

    King said flowers were planted in the raised beds in Library Park last week by the Gray Garden Club while they put on a Summer Reading program about planting and butterflies. Those raised beds were assembled and filled with soil by garden club members July 7 in preparation of the planting.

    “Betty Hotchkiss gave a wonderful talk about flowers, butterfliesand planting to the kids. The Garden Club members then showed the kids how to put the plants in the ground and how to care for them,” the manager said.“Not only did the kids learn a lot about gardening, but they were able to see the fruitof their labor in the beautiful, raised beds they planted. Many of the plants will last throughout the winter and will give food to butterflies.”

    King said the Gray Garden Club has been a big supporter of the library.She said they put in a ‘fairy garden’ outside the window in the children’s area, and every season they change the garden to go with the holidays or season changes.

    “The garden club has also donated many plants that are seen throughout thelibrary. They heard about the library park and found a matching grant from the National Gardening Club for $500, which they then matched to make $1,000 for the area,” she said.

    The manager said the raised beds, dirt, potting soil and plants were purchased with the grant. “They will continue to help maintain the area and are happy to give suggestions for other areas around the library,” King said. “We greatly appreciate their support for our community.”