Garden Party celebrates Project GREEN Gardens’ 10th anniversary
Schedule
Sat Jun 22 2024 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm
Location
Project GREEN Gardens, 820 Park Road, Iowa City, IA | Iowa City, IA
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Project GREEN invites the public to a Garden Party on Saturday, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Project GREEN Gardens at the Ashton House, 820 Park Road, Iowa City. The party will feature SloMoBop, a low-brow jazz combo; and Project GREEN volunteers will offer tours of Project GREEN Gardens every half hour to show accomplishments made over the past 10 years. Refreshments will be available. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and get comfortable to enjoy the music of this local group.
SloMoBop has played and performed together since 2019 and expanded its repertoire of jazz tunes since then. Members of the ensemble include Paul Bethke on bass; Douglas Bissell on drums, flute and vocals; Bob Montgomery on saxophone and clarinet; and Tim Schulte on guitar. They have played at La Wine Bar, the Longfellow Front Porch Celebration, private parties, retirement homes and fundraisers for local nonprofits. The group is available to play at weddings, anniversary parties and establishments that host live music.
The City of Iowa City purchased the Ashton House using a Community Development Block Grant Acquisition Program in October 2011 and agreed to preserve the home and help protect it from future flooding. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2001.
In 2014, the site surrounding the historic Ashton House was named Project GREEN Gardens recognizing the City of Iowa City’s longstanding relationship with the all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. At the time, Project GREEN Co-Presidents Cindy Parsons and Diane Allen predicted, “The Project GREEN Gardens at the Ned Ashton House will become a destination location where visitors and gardeners can enjoy the scenic beauty along the Iowa River.”
Project GREEN Gardens features nearly two dozen garden sites including several spots along the Iowa River Trail, two peony gardens — one dedicated to its founder Nancy Seiberling — and multiple trees honoring Project GREEN contributors.
The Department of Natural Resources awarded the City of Iowa City and Project GREEN a $200,000 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant to add amenities to the grounds in 2023. Planned activities include planting native trees and prairies, and the installation of paved and soft-surface trails, benches, a water fountain, a bird blind, a fire ring and grill, light bollards, a stone entry column on the north end, and a bicycle rack and repair station.
The Iowa River Trail contiguous to the site is consistently busy with bicyclists, runners and walkers.
Contributions in support of the Project GREEN Garden may be made at the Community Foundation of Johnson County where Project GREEN Endowment Fund to promote environmental awareness and boost local conservation and public landscaping beautification projects.
Project GREEN is a nonprofit organization that supports efforts to educate citizens about the importance of conservation practices and preserving the natural beauty of the environment. The organization celebrated 55 years of service to the community in 2023.
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Where is it happening?
Project GREEN Gardens, 820 Park Road, Iowa City, IA, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
