Neepawa Garden Club: Cultivating Community Through Gardening

The Neepawa Garden Club, also known as the Beautiful Plains Horticultural Society, is a dedicated local group that champions gardening and community beautification. Members gather regularly to share their experiences, attend informative sessions, and explore creative garden crafts, fostering a rich sense of camaraderie among gardening enthusiasts.

Glenda MacPhee, the lead organizer of the Neepawa Garden Club shared her involvement with the group and explained why it is now called the Neepawa Garden Club.  “I’ve been involved in the Horticultural Society for many years, most of the years I’ve lived here in Neepawa. A few years ago, we started a Facebook page and we decided that Horticultural Society is a little bit too official for a Facebook page so we used Neepawa Garden Club there so we still really are the Beautiful Plains Horticultural Society. We are a member of the Provincial Horticultural Society or organization. But on posters and Facebook, we are the Neepawa Garden Club.” said MacPhee.

With regards to membership, she mentioned that they were down to just ten members the previous years but now it has grown to around 24 members. MacPhee mentioned that during COVID, more people got more interested in gardening and their social media presence also helped in getting more people involved. MacPhee shared that their group asked for help on social media to maintain Elizabeth St. Park to restore and maintain it. “Last year, Brent Hunter and I already were talking about that park and what we can do to maintain it. Both of us have large gardens ourselves. We aren’t just able to do it. At that time, we only have ten members in our Horticultural Club and didn’t feel we can ask them to do anymore there. So Brent referred to Beausejour Daylily Gardens and what they do to maintain their large area there, they have guardian angels. So people volunteering to take a section and maintain that area so that’s what he thought we can do at Elizabeth Park.” said MacPhee.  

Marsha Forgue one of the newest addition to the Neepawa Garden Club shared how she got involved with the organization and stated that it started when she saw a call on social media that they need help. When asked about the joy of volunteering particularly the outdoor flower bed volunteering, Forgue answered  “I actually have been finding it a stress reliever and relaxing. Like even my husband Gary was just like, one morning I was there. I went there 7 in the morning on Sunday and he said ‘You’re crazy!’. And I was like ‘I actually been enjoying it. It’s been really good.’  I know there are lots of things to do but to see progress when you’re making something, it’s rewarding. And you feel like you have to keep going because there’s no end. It’s like a big sea. So if you just have a section you just keep going so it’s finished.”

In memory of Brent Hunter, who passed away a few months ago, the Garden Club renamed the Elizabeth St. Park to Brent Hunter Memorial Park. Hunter was not only instrumental in the growth of the Garden Club but also made significant contributions to various community initiatives throughout Neepawa. His passion for gardening and dedication to fostering community spirit were evident in all of his endeavors and Neepawa Garden Club is hoping to continue his vision for the community.