Waterfront Gardening Association

Thank you for supporting us!

2010-12-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

It's the end of our third year and I'd like to give thanks to all those people that have helped to make the garden a success!

THANK YOU TO ALL THE GARDEN VOLUNTEERS... that have worked so hard to clean up and beutify the community 'perennial, rose and herb' gardens, and to all those that helped with planting, pruning, trimming, mulching, raking, and watering detail, as well as those that have donated plants and materials.

THANK YOU TO DON KUMMERFELD, our master gardener, for taking this little park under his wing and has committed so much time to maintaining the lawn and gardens and for making it the oasis that it now is... for his gracious donation of plants, bulbs and materials... and for giving guidance to our volunteers.

THANK YOU TO ARTIST, CARL RAVEN, for donating several pieces of sculpture to be placed throughout the garden and giving this area that special touch.

THANK YOU TO MORTON-WILLIAMS, the local grocery store, for their gracious donation of sandwiches to feed our volunteers.

THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF JERSEY CITY, for permitting the Waterfront Gardening Association to create and maintain the gardens in the magnificant waterfront park that overlooks New York City and for supplying us with water, mulch, and support.

AND LASTLY, THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY, for supporting our work and for telling us that you admire the gardens and thanked us for our volunteer services!

Sincerely,
Janet Allen

2010 Fall Cleanup & Bulb Planting

2010-12-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 13th
A group of garden members and volunteers worked diligently to clean up the garden beds and planted a variety of bulbs to include: 100 crocuses, 40 King Alfred daffodils, 40 anemones, 40 Oxford tulips, 18 Purple sensation Dutch Irises, 10 Geranium daffodils, 2 Gay Parosol Bearded Irises and 1 giant Fritillaria.

Our master gardener, Don, donated most of the plants and several mixed tulips and daffodils were brought and planted by two volunteer participants in the Refugee garden.

Saturday November 20th
Only one family showed up for the 2nd planting but they brought and planted crocuses, daffodils and tulips. Don donated several aliums and multi-flowering tulips so the refugee garden is now complete.

The remaining impaitiens were removed from the border and amazingly enough the peturnias, marguerites and marigolds are still blooming as are the roses!

Lots and lots of leaves have been raked up. The City has turned off the water and drained the pipes to the sprinklers, so no more watering until next spring.

2010 Newport Beach Party

2010-07-28T07:10:00.000-07:00

Photos taken at the annual Newport Beach Party on July 27, hosted by the University of Phoenix, Jersey City campus.

This was an opportunity to sample a variety of foods & drinks from various Newport restaurants, all set up outdoors in beautiful Town Square. You could see and communicate with the actual folks barbecuing & preparing the dishes and cocktails. The aroma of food cooking was awesome.

The event started at 5:00 pm and within a short period of time the area was filled with people nibbling on grilled meats, bbq shrimp, roasted corn, and ordering Indian, Mexican and Chinese cuisine from the many restaurants to choose from.

Festive flowering "leis" and sunglasses were free! KTU radio generated the music. Tables were set up for dining but people were also sitting on the pristine lawns, eating, drinking and socializing with friends & family. It was not your average commute home from work.

It's a shame this event is only once a year!

Summer flowers in bloom

2010-07-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

From top to bottom:

1) Black Eyed Susan.
2) Margarite Daisy.
3) Basil & Herbs.
4) Our master gardener, Don, refers to this as our Refugee garden. It is made up of a variety of plants that were moved from our original garden to form a new garden and allow space for growth. We ran out of mulch and used grass clippings to retain moisture.

Artwork - Newest addition

2010-06-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

Following our spring garden event, artist Carl Raven has added a brownstone sculpture of a boxer. The piece was carefully brought in by Carl and Diego.

Thank you Carl and Diego for the wonderful new addition to the Newport garden!

Thank you for supporting the Newport community flower garden

2010-06-10T06:06:00.000-07:00

On June 5th, the Waterfront Gardening Association hosted a garden cleanup & planting event in Newport to give Jersey City residents an opportunity to work in a community garden.

The garden was created in 2008 and includes a variety of plants & roses that have grown in size as well as three sculptures by artist Carl Raven. www.carl-raven.com

This year, seventeen members and volunteers worked together to prepare the garden for new plants by removing weeds, installing edging around the border and planting annuals such as petunia and snap dragon that were donated by the 14th Street Garden Center. A small section for herbs was added to include a variety of ornamental basil, thyme, sage & rosemary. Volunteers brought additional plants to include a floribunda & climbing rose, hibiscus, clematis and provided edging materials. Lastly, a fresh layer of mulch was added to prepare the garden for the summer season.

To feed hungry volunteers, a generous assortment of sandwiches was donated by Morton Williams grocery store.

Thanks to all the folks that volunteered their time, and to Morton Williams, the 14th Street Garden Center, the City of Jersey City, and the Dept. of Parks & Forestry for the lovely donation of mulch.

This quaint little City Park and garden in Newport leads to the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway that connects Jersey City to Hoboken. The walkway that opened last year allows residents to stroll along the Hudson River and overlooks New York City.

June 5th Planting Event

2010-06-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

Photo's from our event, from start to finish.

2010 Spring Volunteer Gardening Event

2010-05-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 5th
9:00 am – Noon
At the Newport Waterfront Park ‘Community Flower & Herb Garden’

You’re invited to help us as we clean up the garden, move a few crowded plants, add new plants & herbs, spread fresh mulch & water.

The 14th Street Garden Center in Jersey City will be donating annual plants & herbs. Assorted sandwiches will be donated by Morton Williams. Mulch is being supplied by the City of Jersey City, Parks Dept. Bottled water will be available to all volunteers.

Meet us in the park in Newport, located next to Duane Reed, by the dog run. No experience necessary. Just wear comfortable clothes, a hat and bring some energy!

For more information about volunteering in the community garden, contact: 201-388-4506.

------------------------

Plant Donations are always welcome! If you'd like to bring a plant, here are some suggestions:

Herbs: lavender, basil, parsley (curled or italian), chives, oregano, thyme, or rosemary.

Summer annuals for the border: anything you like that stays relatively short and has lots of bloom and color.... geraniums, petunias, marigolds, salvia, ageratum, low growing daiseys, begonias and impatiens if sun tolerant.

Larger plants: hibiscus, hydrangea, phlox, rudbeckia, chrysanthemums for fall bloom, clematis, bee-balm, dwarf lilac, azalea and sedum.

Roses: no bare root or packaged roses at this time of year, only those growing and blooming in pots (and no more floribundas). We can really use: climbing roses for the fence, repeat bloomers please, or hybrid tea roses for the new rose garden.

Thank you for supporting the Newport community garden

2009-12-24T08:48:00.001-08:00

On September 12th, the Waterfront Gardening Association hosted a garden-planting event in Newport to give Jersey City residents an opportunity to work in a community garden.

Colorful fall mums, Montauk daisy plants, perennial sage, bleeding heart and assorted bulbs were planted in the garden while weeds and overgrown brush were tidied up to prepare the garden for the upcoming season.

A variety of sandwiches to feed working volunteers were donated by Morton Williams grocery store and plants were donated by Newport Associates and the 14th Street Garden Center. Thanks to all that donated and helped out, the City of Jersey City, and the Department of Parks & Forestry.

This quaint little City park & community garden in Newport leads to the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway that connects Jersey City to Hoboken. The walkway just recently opened for residents to stroll along the Hudson River and overlooks New York City. If you haven’t yet had the chance to check out the walkway and park, this fall is an excellent time to do so!

Janet Allen
President, Waterfront Gardening Association

September 12th Planting Event

2009-12-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Volunteer Planting Event - Saturday September 12h

2009-08-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

You're invited to join us as we clean up the Newport community garden & add fall mums, daisy & bulbs!

Saturday, September 12th
10:00 AM

Activities include weeding, trimming overgrown shrubs, planting fall mums, daisy and spring bulbs, watering & labeling plants.

No experience necessary. Wear comfortable clothing, a hat, and bring some energy!

Sandwiches, bottled water and gloves will be available to all volunteers. *Sandwiches donated by Morton Williams.

Meet us on the lawn by the dog run at the end of Newport Parkway, next to Duane Reed.

For more info. contact 201-388-4506.

2009 Garden Planting & Cleanup

2009-04-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

The Waterfront Gardening Association members will be gathering to clean up & prepare the park and gardens for summer. In addition to the cleanup, new artwork will be added by artist Carl Raven. Plans are also being made to add more benches to the park so that residents may sit while visiting the park, gardens and waterfront walkway in Newport.

A volunteer cleanup & planting event will be organized for spring to add more plant to the garden. This will be an excellent opportunity for Jersey City residents to participate and learn the basics of gardening. Stay tuned for details.

Artwork Restored

2008-12-08T18:50:00.001-08:00

Garden artwork that was vandalized last month is repaired by Artist Carl Raven.

Carl mixes colors to get a good match for the limestone repair. His recipe is an acrylic base with 2% hardening creme mixed with a combination of colors to include white, gray, brown and black.

The right match.

The broken right ear is back in place.

Two pieces of a broken clay funnel become one.

Carl smiles as he works to repair the funnels.

Newport Illuminated

2008-12-08T18:16:00.001-08:00

The 2008 Newport Tree Lighting event took place on Wednesday, December 3rd in Town Square.

It was a cool but clear evening and the event was well attended. I've never seen so many children at a community event as I did this evening, and the kids were in awe of all the lights. There were plenty of cookies and refreshments available. I even had my photo taken with Santa!

Prior to the lighting, developer Jamie Lefrak spoke briefly and gave a formal "thank you" to all his Newport residents. Also in attendance were Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Councilman Steven Fulop and Councilman Peter Brennan.

Me and Councilman, Steve Fulop.

Residents enjoy free skating as Newport Skates re-opens for the season.

Jersey City cops smile as I take their photo with Santa.

Packages of cookies are set out prior to the event starting.

A lawn is decorated with colorful gift boxes.

A tree in town square is adorned with lights and decorations.

Before heading to Newport, in Hamilton Park

Newport Tree Lighting Ceremoney & Re-Opening of Ice Skating Rink

2008-11-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

The magic of the Holiday Season comes to Jersey City’s Newport community on Wednesday, December 3rd, with the 7th Annual Tree Lighting and Grand Re-Opening of Newport Skates, a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink. The flurry of activities will begin at 5 p.m. with the Tree Lighting at Newport Town Square at Town Square Place and River Drive South.

Town Square will shine in the glow of Holiday lights as the festivities kick off with music, treats, and visits from “Special Guests.” Children of all ages can look forward to appearances from Santa and his North Pole helpers, who will be on hand to delight and entertain the entire community. Seasonal music will ring throughout Town Square, as cookies and hot drinks help keep the chill away. As in previous years, Mayor Jerramiah Healy will be on hand to join in the celebration and illuminate Town Square, formally inaugurating the Holiday Season.

Following the tree lighting, revelers are invited to join in the Grand Re-Opening of Newport Skates, where everyone can enjoy an evening of free skating at 95 River Drive along the Hudson River waterfront, sponsored by Newport and HSBC Bank.

A rain date is scheduled for Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 5 p.m.

Fall Cleanup Begins in Hamilton & Newport Parks

2008-11-14T10:05:00.001-08:00

Cleanups have begun in both Hamilton Park and Newport Park gardens to prepare the beds for winter. In Newport, the holly and rose bushes and blue grass have all been pruned. Perennials and herb plants were cut way back while leaves were raked and picked up. In Hamilton Park, overgrown rose and butterfly bushes were trimmed back and plenty of leaves were removed. Although a park renovation was suppose to begin in Hamilton Park in 2008, it has not yet begun. Work will continue in both gardens over the next few weeks.

Photos: overgrown bushes are pruned in Hamilton Park gardens.

Jersey Journal Article

2008-11-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

Vandals do dirty deeds on waterfront

Saturday, November 08, 2008
By LISA ZIMMERMANN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Three works of art in a Jersey City waterfront park have been vandalized, police said.

Janet Allen, president of the Waterfront Gardening Association, which leases the park from the city, said the vandalism occurred between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. The damage to the donated artwork has been estimated at $3,500.

"It appears as though (the artwork) was a target," Allen said, noting that no other local artwork in the Newport area was damaged last weekend. "It's a shame. If it's not a safe environment then the artists won't want to donate their artwork."

Two clay sculptures with funnel shapes created by Anne Trauben, a local artist, were each split in two pieces in the park, located at River Drive South near Newport Parkway. Now they lay broken in the dirt. A sculpture of a Spanish Castilian's head, created by Carl Raven, who lives in the Bronx, is now missing part of his ear as a result of the vandalism.

"The shameful thing is it was once one piece and now it's two pieces," Raven says. "Stone is unforgiving. It's a pity that I have to repair this."

Allen fears the vandalism may have been a result of the hard feelings after city awarded the park space to the Waterfront Gardening Association over other community groups.

"Was someone else jealous (about us being awarded the space)? Probably. Does that mean they were involved? Absolutely not," Allen says.

Allen admits that kids out on Mischief Night may be the culprits, but added that "I think they would have done other stuff in the area, too."

Next to the park is a Port Authority security booth, and Allen said she has requested permission to see the security videos.

Raven has planned to donate additional art work to the garden, Allen said, but now she's worried he may change his mind.

"I don't blame him," she says. "Artists form a bond with their work. It's not a matter of money, it comes from their heart."

Raven says the more he thinks about it, the more it bothers him, that as time goes on he is more disturbed by the incident. He believes the vandalism is the work of kids.

Allen wishes the artwork itself could tell the story of what happened. "You don't know what they would say if they could speak, but I'm sure they're not happy in their broken positions."

Broken Artworks

2008-11-09T10:16:00.001-08:00

All three pieces of artwork that were on display in our Newport community garden have been vandalized.

A report has been filed with the Jersey City police department and a news story has been published in the Jersey Journal.

An Old Sculpture Finds a New Home

2008-10-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

New in Newport Park

This terrific (award winning) sculpture was recently added to our Newport perennial garden in October. The artist, Carl Raven, discovered the community garden on a recent tour of the area and he fell in love with its waterfront setting as it's not only a beautiful little park, but it's visited by many people on a daily basis. Look for this and other garden art on your next walk in Newport.

Salon X Grand Opening

2008-07-31T22:21:00.001-07:00

Salon X, located at 228 7th Street

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Healy

Manager & Stylist, Paul

The Salon

Cool white leather chairs

Elegant lighting

Cowboy boots on sale

Salon X Contractor, Louis and stylist Jasmine

Wash bowls

Open for business

This evening was the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of Salon X -- a new and very elegant hair salon located at 228 Seventh Street in the Hamilton Park section of Jersey City. Owner Lori Greyshock along with her ex-husband and manager Paul run the salon together and invited local clients to share in their opening "champagne" celebration. Salon: 201-420-8782

Newport Beach Party Photo's

2008-07-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Newport Town Square

Festive flowers for the occasion

Bertucci's

Cosi serves up mango smoothies

Komegashi Too

Raaz

Dorrian's serving cold beer and frozen drinks

South City Grill

Folks enjoying themselves on the lawn

Confucius

Confucius

Ole

Newport Summer Beach Party

2008-07-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Newport’s summer "Beach Party" will take place Tuesday, July 29th from 5:00 – 9:00 PM.

The event will take place in Newport Town Square and feature local restaurant’s cooking up your favorite bbq foods and serving cool drinks.

Cocktails and food will be served from Newport eateries Babo, Bertucci’s, Confucious, Cosi, Dorrian’s Red Hand, Komegashi Too, Ole, Raaz, and South City Grill.

Rain date is Wednesday.

This event is sponsored by the Newport Associates Development Company.

JC List Party at Dorrian's Restaurant & Bar

2008-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

A special “Meet and Greet” has been arranged for JC Listers to get together once again.

Thursday, July 31st from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dorrian’s Restaurant & Bar, 555 Washington Blvd., Jersey City (across from the Newport PATH station)

No RSVP required. Just show up and look for the RED BALLOONS!

JC Lister Drink Specials: Miller Lite (bottles) $3., Miller Lite Draft $4., Dorrian’s Ale $4., Cosmopolitan’s $5., and Apple Martini’s $5.

www.jclist.com

Cool Dog

2008-07-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

A calm and cool dog sits patiently beside its owner in Newport.

Saving a Perennial Garden at Grace Van Vorst

2008-07-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

TEAMWORK: The Waterfront Gardening Association team up Dickinson high school students to clean up and weed the old churchyard perennial gardens while contractors sand and paint the old historic fence.

Morton Williams Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Healy

2008-07-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

July 10th: Waterfront gardener, Janet Allen, poses with Jersey City Mayor, Jerramiah Healy, outside Morton Williams new Newport store during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Morton Williams Opens Newport Grocery Store

2008-07-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the neighborhood.

Gourmet groceries and specialty items can be found at Morton Williams new store in Newport. Free parking with purchase of $10. or more with validation. And they even have a coffee lounge. How convenient!

Newport Waterfront Park

2008-07-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Take a stroll.

Located on River Drive South and at the end of Newport Parkway (in Newport) is this lovely park and waterfront walkway overlooking New York City.

Handmade Sculptures

2008-07-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

Garden Art

Two clay, handmade sculptures by artist Anne Trauben were added to the Newport perennial garden and they add a wonderfully nice touch. Additional clay sculptures by Anne can also be seen in the Brunswick Community Garden located on Brunswick Street between 5th & 6th Streets in Jersey City.

Thank you for your support

2008-06-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

I would like to personally thank all of the volunteers that came out today to help us create a perennial, community garden in the Newport section of Jersey City.

An abundance of weeds were removed from the garden area and over $1,000.00 worth of perennials were planted to include: french hydrangea, bleeding heart, agapanthus, astilbe, shasta daisy, purple coneflower, lambs ear, azalea, blue fescue, rhododendron, wild rose, lily, coreopsis, butterfly bush, variegated hosta, japanese silver grass, lavender as well as herbs such as oregano, peppermint, basil, thyme, rosemary and more.

I’d like to thank Reliable Recyling for donating 20 cubic yards of lovely brown wood mulch, the 14th Street Garden Center for their wonderful plant donations and Shoprite of Marin Blvd. for the hearty sandwich platters.

Thank you to the Waterfront Gardening Association members and to the energetic Newport Neighborhood Association members and Robert Vivien.

I’d like to thank Councilman Mariano Vega Jr., and Councilman Steven Fulop for giving us special permission to proceed with this project and to Director Rodney Hadley of the Jersey City Parks Department and his staff.

A big thank you to the Jersey City Police Department for assisting us on Wednesday evening.

And lastly, I’d like to thank Newport developer, Jamie Lefrak.

Janet Allen
President, Waterfront Gardening Association

Photos are posted below.

A Garden Victory in Newport, Jersey City

2008-06-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Love Gardening?

2008-05-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Gardening keychain by Coach.

http://www.coach.com/

Site Location for Future Newport Community Gardens

2008-05-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

This is the site for the new community gardens that will be funded by the Waterfront Gardening Association and with the help of community volunteers. For more information, call 201-388-4506.

Hamilton Park Gardens

2008-04-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

Spring 2008 - Plants come back to life.

The above photo's show the Hamilton Park gardens, created by the Friends of Hamilton Park, along with community volunteers. Above photos show bulbs, a pine tree, azalea, Japanese maple, misc. shrubs, rose, lilac, day lily, weeping cherry, and more.

Due to the future renovation plans for Hamilton Park, the gardens here will not be added to, but will be cleaned up each spring by our new group, the Waterfront Gardening Association.

Farmers Market returns to Hamilton Park

2008-04-22T14:54:00.001-07:00

Hamilton Park Farmers Market

Every Wednesday in the Hamilton Park
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The market begins in June and will run through October

Depending on the part of the growing season we are in, you can expect to find:

Specialty, gourmet & heirloom tomato's
Lettuce: argula, endive, escarole, romaine, mustard, radicchio, butter head & loose-leaf
Greens: Swiss chard, kale, mesculum, leeks, collards, spinach, broccoli, cress, sorrel
Beans, Peas: bush, pole, lima, string including pods
Herbs: basic, peppermints, dills, fennel, garlic, thyme, catnip, cat grass, marjoram, sage, chive, rosemary
Root Vegetables: beets, sweet potatoes, onions, turnips, radishes
Spring Vegetables: asparagus, sprouts & shoots
Summer Vegetables: sweet peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, fennel
Winter Squash: acorn, butternut, specialty
Hot Peppers: roasting, frying, pickling, salsa, grilling, sauce, drying & ornamental
Fruits: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples
Melons: watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew
Pumpkins & gourds
Zinnias, lavender, cut flowers, potted plants, potted herbs

Brought to you by the Waterfront Gardening Association.

For more information or to join the market, please call 201-388-4506.

Got Garden Boots?

2008-04-03T13:02:00.001-07:00

Ditsy Dots Garden & Rain Boots

Go to: www.Target.com

Riverside Gardening Event in Newport

2008-04-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Volunteer Spring Planting Event

Newport and Jersey City residents are invited to help us as we create the first community gardens on the Newport waterfront by planting a variety of flowers, annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, fragrent herbs, roses and mini trees.

A healthy lunch, gloves and bottled water will be provided.

Saturday - June 14

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Meet us on the lawn by the dog run at the end of Newport Parkway (by Duane Reed). This project will involve outlining the new garden areas and preparing the soil, positioning plants, digging holes, planting, watering, mulching and labeling plants.

Project Agenda:
09:00 am Sign-in, grab a bite and a pair of work gloves
09:15 am Brief introduction, break into teams and work begins
12:00 pm Break for Lunch

12:30 pm Work continues; mulch, label plants, water
02:00 pm Clean up
03:00 pm Thank you and see you again in Autumn when we plant fall bulbs!

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Wear comfortable clothes, a hat and bring some energy! You do not have to stay for the entire event. Come when you can and do as little or as much as you'd like. We'll also be discussing regular maintenance for those that live close-by and can help with watering, weeding, etc. Open to all Newport and Jersey City residents. This event is hosted by the Waterfront Gardening Association. For more information, please call 201-388-4506.