(repeating previous articles on gardens the Club has visited) Gardenview

Several years ago the club went on a field trip to Gardenview. It made such an impression that the club has been sending yearly donations ever since. The rugged individualist and horticulturalist Henry Ross dedicated several decades of his life to turning Gardenview into a 16 acre garden paradise. Its beauty is awe-inspiring. Gardenview has gained world-wide gardening fame. Several news stories have been written about it and it was featured on TV gardening shows and in gardening magazines and has attracted visitors from all over the world. This year more than 1150 people visited Gardenview. Ross recently died and Gardenview is now run by an all-volunteer board of directors and maintained by just one underpaid gardener. Ross's ashes are buried there in the place he so dearly loved. Unfortunately, Gardenview is now in financial trouble and it would be a tragic loss if it closed. The land was offered to other nonprofits like Holden and the Metroparks if they would just maintain it as a garden, but they all refused. But you can help. Gardenview is looking for a volunteer who knows grant writing. If you can do this, please lend a hand and call (440) 238-6653. Gardenview also needs volunteers to help the gardener, Mark LaRosa, from April to October. If you would like to visit Gardenview, call ahead to make sure the gates will be open. It's located at 16711 Pearl Road in Strongsville, 44136. If you would like to become a member, it's $25 for individual membership and $50 for family. And donations of any size are always welcome. Gardenview is nonprofit.