The clearing of overgrown vegetation along the south side of Barrington Town Hall marks the first phase of a year-long garden restoration project being planned and funded by the Barrington Garden Club. 

The public space is being reimagined to be more inviting and user-friendly. When it is completed by late spring 2027, it will include a new stone patio complemented by refinished benches and refreshed plantings. 

“As every gardener knows, gardens evolve,” says Barrington Garden Club member Rebecca Burke who is helping spearhead the project. “There comes a time when a garden needs to be redone. The Presidents’ Garden was well past that time.”

Originally planned and planted by the club in 1964 and completed in 1967, the current garden’s design has remained essentially the same for some six decades. Originally conceived as a memorial garden, Barrington Garden Club members spent $4,000 in the 1960s (more than $43,000 in today’s dollars) to fund the project. Though awarded some small grants, most of the money came from fund raising efforts that included a “Cooks Tour” of Barrington kitchens, a flower show, house tour, along with a garden festival.   

Following this tradition, the 95-year-old club is raising the thousands of dollars needed to restore the garden in the same way today, so that no public tax dollars will be spent on the project. Profits from the club’s garden tour, “Blooms by the Bay,” which took place this past May, as well as upcoming events such as the “Create Your Own Holiday Wreath” workshop planned for Nov. 30 will cover all expenses.

With the clearing phase of the project now complete, the installation of the stone patio will begin in early spring 2027. The project will conclude in late spring with the plantings. Though some elements such as the sundial and roses will remain, there will be a strong emphasis on introducing native plantings to the space.

Of the eight gardens throughout town that the Barrington Garden Club regularly maintains, the most recent one to receive a makeover is the one that beautifies the Booster Board across from the White Church, which was completed earlier this year. 

Deeply involved in the community, Barrington Garden Club is actively involved in conservation and environmental projects, organizes an ongoing series of educational seminars and works with the next generation of gardeners at Hampden Meadows Elementary School.

Membership to Barrington Garden Club is open to all those with an interest in gardening, civic beautification, floral design and conservation. To find out more about becoming a member or donating to its efforts, contact  BarringtonRIGardenClub@Gmail.com.