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Celebration: Library's garden renewal comes to an end

Library Garden Renewal Project creates interactive space that will be used as teaching garden and venue for library activities
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Stratford Public Library garden.

As the Library Garden Renewal project has come to an end, Stratford and District Horticultural Society, along with the Stratford Public Library, are inviting community members to mark the project's completion next week. 

The celebration begins on May 29 at 6 p.m. in the library garden. After a short ceremony, attendees will have an opportunity to tour the garden with Horticultural Society volunteers. The library’s Whale of a Tale story time program will kick off at 6:30 p.m. in the garden. If it rains, the event will be held at the library auditorium.

“The library is thrilled with the outcome of the project. It has been exciting to see the plants popping up this spring. Green spaces are so vital to a strong and healthy community," Krista Robinson, CEO of Stratford Public Library, said in a media release "We would like to thank all our partners for their initiative, vision, and support in developing enhanced service and spaces at the library in such a beautiful way."

The Library Garden Renewal Project, which started in 2021 and was completed late last year, creates an interactive space for local residents and visitors to enjoy. It will also be used as a teaching garden and a venue for library activities.

The renewed garden combines heritage features, such as the plaque commemorating Central School and heritage plants, including 1812 roses, Believe in Tomorrow irises, and City of Stratford irises. 

“This renewal of the library garden exemplifies the 57-year partnership between the Stratford Public Library and Garden Stratford, creating a beautiful and welcoming space at the library," said Mike Matthews, SDHS president. "Our volunteers take great pride in caring for the garden and supporting Garden Stratford’s mission of beautifying public spaces.”

The project was funded and supported through a collaboration between the horticultural society, library, Stratford Perth Community Foundation, Ontario Horticultural Association, and the City of Stratford.