1934-2024

90 YEARS OF CIVIC GARDENING

The Petoskey Area Garden Club was formed in the spring of 1934 to improve the civic appearance of Petoskey and to create interest in gardens. Dorothy Loveless was the founder of the club and elected its first president. There were 58 Charter Members.

Over the past 89 years, the club has helped to beautify the city by planting and maintaining flowers and trees at the entrances to Petoskey and at public buildings and parks. Beautification contests were held to encourage residents and merchants to plant flowers in their yards and boxes outside their businesses.

In 1973, Petoskey Area Garden Club was instrumental in helping to pass a City Parks Charter Amendment which requires majority approval of the voters in order to change city park property.

For the club’s 50th anniversary in 1984, it raised funds and built the Gazebo in Penn Park.

 

 

For the 80th anniversary, the club refurbished the Gazebo and installed a Blue Star Memorial Plaque in Penn Park.

 

 

 

The club has contributed toward many civic projects such as the Bridge Boxes, Soblesky Gazebo, See North Exhibit, improvement of the Waterfall Area, Crooked Tree Labyrinth, Char-Em Children’s Garden, and landscaping for Camp Daggett and Habitat for Humanity.