Four decades of growing together: Paris Horticultural Society celebrates 40 years
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
For 40 years, the Paris Horticultural Society has been planting more than flowers and trees. It has been cultivating friendships, sharing knowledge and helping beautify the community, one garden at a time.
Founded in 1986 under its first president, the late Harold Hallett, the society has grown into a thriving organization with 119 members, including four who have been involved since the beginning.
Founding members David and Mary Collins, Doug Hanna and Brenda Hunt remain active today, continuing a legacy of community involvement that has helped shape Paris's green spaces.
The society marked its milestone anniversary this year with a special cake-cutting celebration and a fall flower show on Sept. 16.
Over the decades, members have contributed countless volunteer hours to public planting projects, garden maintenance and community beautification.
"One of the mandates of the club is to contribute to public planting as an outreach of the club," explained co-president Deborah Vickers, who shares the leadership role with Nancy Chipman.
That work can be seen throughout Paris, from Hope's Garden and the gardens surrounding the cenotaph to plantings at the fairgrounds and seasonal displays at Mechanic and Broadway streets.
Members have also planted trees in local parks and the cemetery, recently assisted with plantings along Lisa's Way downtown and continue to emphasize native species that support the environment.
Hanna, one of the society's founding members, has been responsible for many of those tree plantings. His contributions are being recognized with a park in a new residential development being named in his honour.
The society's impact extends beyond gardening. Members participate in the Adopt-a-Road program, cleaning sections of Silver St/Keg Lane each spring and fall, while fundraising initiatives such as the annual plant sale help support community projects and local secondary school scholarships.
The society’s Annual Garden Tour in June, flower shows and monthly guest speakers have also become longstanding traditions.
For member Marlene Harrison, who joined nearly three years ago, the society offers much more than gardening advice.
"I wanted to connect with people who liked and knew about gardening," she said. "I knew a few people who belonged and went as their guest twice and was hooked!"
Members enjoy educational presentations, workshops, a lending library and opportunities to learn from experienced gardeners.
"They are a very friendly group of dedicated and knowledgeable people!" Harrison added.
Looking ahead, the society hopes to attract members of all ages and encourage more residents to participate in volunteer projects.
"We hope to get more members engaged in volunteering and taking an active role in the beautification of Paris," Vickers said.
After four decades, the society's roots in the community remain strong, with its members committed to keeping Paris blooming for generations to come.
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