The Village is in full bloom, largely as the result of the work of the Western Springs Garden Club.

The organization, which was founded in 1926, boasts a membership of more than 80 women from throughout the area. Beth Clemen, who has been a member for about ten years and chairs a couple of committees, said that the organization continues to attract new members of all ages and gardening abilities. With an eye towards the beautification of the Village, the Western Springs Garden Club sponsors a number of civic projects.

“We’re pretty active in the Village,” Clemen said.

The “Let Freedom Ring” Garden at the Tower Green includes plants and flowers, along with plaques commemorating Korean War and World War II veterans. Garden club member Ofra Dost is in charge of designing and maintaining that garden.

A couple of years ago, the Western Springs Garden Club took on the responsibility of giving a makeover to the area around the Western Springs Post Office. Members of the club designed and installed plantings, which they maintained for two years. The Village paid for the plants and has taken over their maintenance.

Within the past several months, the Garden Club redesigned their perennial garden at Spring Rock Park under the supervision of Dost. Clemen explained that the loss of a large tree left a formerly shady area in full sun.

“We moved the shady plants and got some new sunny plants in their place,” she said.

The Western Springs Garden Club maintains the Blue Star Memorial Garden at the Fire Station. About five years ago, a plaque was added to the existing garden, in recognition of the U.S. armed services. The Western Springs Garden Club also provides flowers for the reception desk at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library.

In addition to public landscaping projects, the members of the Western Springs Garden Club naturally are responsible for beautiful and unique gardens at their own homes. Later this month, the organization will sponsor its annual Garden Walk. Members will view four home gardens.

“There are absolutely gorgeous gardens. People have them strictly because they love them,” Clemen said.

Clemen said that members of the Western Springs Garden Club are “generous with knowledge and generous with plants. People are interested in the club because they learn so much from other people. Members are always happy to share experiences or knowledge.”