Beautifying Rye
RGC members have always put their hearts and hands into community improvement, with the current emphasis on beautifying public spaces in Rye. In honor of Fredrick Law Olmstead’s 200th birthday in 2021, RGC partnered with Rye DPW to create a downtown oasis garden behind the historic Square House, complete with benches and beautiful flower beds right on the town square.
In 2024, we took on the overhaul of Knapp Island, planting to allow for traffic sight lines and harsh road conditions. Also in spring 2024, we provided funding for the refurbishment of Rye Rec’s facade, adding new plantings and a cohesive design for the exterior.
Square House Garden
The Square House
In the Spring of 2021, Rye Garden Club officers began looking for a community project in honor of the Frederick Law Olmstead 200th birthday celebration. They selected the Square House garden, as it was an ideal spot to further Olmsted’s mission of improving and creating public parks and spaces.
The classic and welcoming design now provides a natural pathway from Purchase Street to the Rye Free Reading Room and the 9/11 Memorial gazebo. Rye residents can stroll into this peaceful downtown oasis and enjoy the bench view of newly planted native dogwood and spiceberry trees, as well as a pop of color from the rhododendron blooms. The garden’s elegant simplicity is befitting the rich history of this space.
Seasonal Plantings in Rye
Three times a year our members fill and refresh the pots along Purchase Street with seasonal plantings to mark the change of seasons.
Public Spaces
RGC has installed and helps maintain the gardens at the Square House, Knapp Island, Edith Read and Rye Rec facility.
Holiday Amaryllis
Our members grow amaryllis bulbs and present them to various organizations and schools throughout Rye as a holiday gift to the community.
