photo by Erica Moffitt
The Founders’ Statement:
A Foundation for Greenwood’s Strategic Plan Any strategic plan to guide Greenwood’s future starts with Peter and Sofia Blanchard’s original vision. When they decided to donate Peter’s family estate and transition it into a public garden, they rolled up their sleeves and built a team to preserve and grow this special place. The founders’ statement, a document developed by Peter and Sofia, will guide our planning process. Here is a section of the statement that speaks to their hopes for Greenwood. “Greenwood Gardens’ essential role is to be a world apart. Greenwood’s isolation from an overbuilt, technologically dependent and highly stressful modern-day world is one of the greatest gifts the gardens have to offer. It is the Founders’ wish that the tranquility, peace and remoteness of Greenwood be maintained and safeguarded in order to give visitors free rein to experience and enjoy nature—both wild and cultivated—and to ponder mankind’s relationship with and responsibility for the natural world. Greenwood has an enormous potential to serve as an oasis, a sanctuary and a place for healing and contemplation”. We are fortunate to be able to work with our founders to determine the best path forward. We deeply appreciate your support along the way.
Marco Polo Stufano continued from page 4 could be built and the possibilities for creating an encyclopedia of plants from the region. For a moment, these thoughts led to “If only I were 30 years younger!” He found a way to join us as a member of our board of trustees. This year, Marco received the coveted Veitch Memorial Award from the Royal Horticultural Society in England. He joins the ranks of Liberty Hyde Bailey, the world renowned botanist, and Charles Sprague Sargent, first director of the Arnold Arboretum. Only nine or ten Americans have received this tremendous honor, and it aptly recognizes Stufano’s remarkable accomplishments in horticulture. When asked why public gardens matter, Stufano responded, “for beauty and education”. His favorite garden visitor is one who carries a notebook and is curious to learn about plants. His advice for young people? “Follow your heart. I feel very fortunate to have had a life doing what I love”. Marco’s mother must be looking down, smiling, thinking about her son who brought so much forward by going “back to the farm”.
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website photo
Photo courtesy of Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, Inc.
A New Plant Home Thanks to a generous donation from member Patti Donovan, a new hoop house is being constructed this spring. The hoop house will enable us to grow and protect plants in winter. Rich Murphy and Lucas Ferreira prepared the site (see photos) next to the potting shed. photos by Richard Murphy
Please Visit Our Website and Take a Brief Survey As you may know, Greenwood Gardens is developing a strategic plan to guide its development over the next 5–10 years. To better understand our patrons, we ask you to take ten minutes to answer seven questions. This information will help us plan a sustainable future for Greenwood Gardens and enhance experiences for you, our members and visitors. Everyone who completes the survey and provides their email address will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate at a local nursery. If you have any questions or desire additional information about our planning effort, please contact Liz Johnson, Executive Director, at (973) 258-4026 or email: ljohnson@greenwoodgardens.org. Thank you for helping us include your opinions as we plan for the future. To access the survey, please go to our website at www. greenwoodgardens.org. Thanks so much for helping us better understand your preferences.