Submitted by Aundrea Tidwell, Village Pines Garden Club Publicist
Village Pines Gardens Club is celebrating 50 years of service projects that beautify the Village. In 2003, the Pines chose Balboa Pavilion for several reasons. Balboa Pavilion has a beautiful lake view and is a favorite outdoor event venue for celebrations, meetings, and reunions. Most importantly, there was a need for landscape improvement. Due to the size of the area to be landscaped, the project was divided into two phases to complete the project.
Pines’ presidents during this beautification project were Anne Kiessling and Darlene Blasche. Judy Gallagher was appointed project chairman for both phases, and her landscape designs were used. The first area – Phase l – 2003-2004 was the fence and gated front side of the Pavilion. The second area – Phase 2- 2005-2006 included both ends of the Pavilion. The Pines received an award in 2004 for the design from the Arkansas Federated Garden Clubs.
A complete renovation of the Pine’s Beautification Site was undertaken in the spring of 2017. Under the leadership of Karen Nagy, president of the club at that time, Kathy Edmonson, Village Pines member and retired landscape architect, was appointed to prepare a landscape plan for the project.
Kathy Edmondson’s recap of the 2017 project involved the POA’s help in removing many of the older plants and site preparation for new plants. All the plants were purchased by the Pines Club and planted by members. Plants were selected to provide a cohesive landscape while emphasizing seasonal color and low maintenance.
The project was completed in May of 2017 on schedule and on budget. Suzi Still currently chairs the committee that maintains the beautification site several times a year.
The Village Pines Garden Club appreciates the communities’ continued support for our annual beautification fundraisers.
