Beach Garden Club and activities coordinator outline spring events, camp staffing and Arts in the Park plans

Marybeth, representing the Beach Garden Club, told the Long Beach Park Board that fall plantings fared well despite winter weather and deer and said the club will begin spring cleanup on April 23 at the community center courtyard garden.

"It's only 25 days until spring," Marybeth said, and she encouraged volunteers to join cleanup efforts and noted that involvement helps some members maintain Master Gardener certification hours.

Activities coordinator Maggie Maddie reported that 10 people attended February's abstract flower painting class and that a March 7 decoupage Easter egg class has five or six people signed up so far. Maddie said she has contacted last year's summer camp counselors about returning and expects to determine staffing in about two weeks; she also said one planned director will step down this summer due to a medical procedure, leaving an open art-director position the board will need to fill.

Board members discussed Arts in the Park (typically held the last week in July) and proposed that the Beach Garden Club host an informational table and an "Ask a Master Gardener" station; Maddie agreed to coordinate with Cindy, Elena and garden-club volunteers and to involve counselors to help run activities.

Why it matters: These programs support community recreation, volunteer opportunities and youth programming; the garden club's role also provides certified volunteer hours for Master Gardeners who rely on sanctioned activities to keep credentials current.

Next steps: Maddie will contact Cindy about setting a planning meeting; garden-club volunteers will be invited to participate in Art in the Park and spring cleanup activities.