The vision all started last year while planning for underground electric, trail-side lighting, and security. Thanks to the Coshocton Foundation, Clary Gardens received a grant to cover half the costs of installing underground electric to the northern half of the garden hillside, behind the two historic homes on the property. This was completed in the spring of 2018 with enough power capable of lighting every tree with holiday lights... when the time was right.
"We were in the middle of some other initiatives at the time," stated Jandi Adams, garden director, "and we can't afford to do a project of this size all at once so we decided to start the planning for a walk-through 'winter wonderland' of sorts.
This all spurred into action this past month during our "Month of Thanks" campaign and annual fundraiser. Residents and community members began to get excited with the potential of creating another winter-season attraction here in Coshocton.
Clary Gardens received a $500 donation from a local contractor on December 1st to spend directly on lights (and extension cords) needed to get a good start on lighting in the gardens. With a small staff almost done for the season, we had to look for volunteers to help us put up the lights - and we didn't have to look far! We were contacted by the M.A.C.E. Club, a fraternal organization at Muskingum University, about doing a service project at the gardens that would impact the community. This was our opportunity! And with the absolutely beautiful weather we had yesterday, Sunday, December 2, 2018, we were able to take advantage of extra hands to erect a fascinating display covering the children's garden with twinkling lights - an area that before this spring, had no electric!
"There are so many generous people and organizations in and around our community. Many were interested in furthering the initiative that we are generally calling, 'Light the Night' at this time. We would love to open this opportunity up to local organizations and individuals that would like to make a direct impact in making the gardens a winter destination for Coshocton. If you or someone you know might be interested in donating exterior lights, extension cords, or funds for us to purchase what is needed, please call Clary Gardens at 740-622-6524 or email at events@clarygardens.org.
*Support this initiative directly via PayPal on our website (under the 'Support' -> 'Donations' tab) or CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Feel free to make a notation that your donation is for the "Light the Night" fundraising campaign.
**Pictured are around 18 members of the M.A.C.E. Club from Muskingum University who dedicated their morning to assisting the gardens with the "LIGHT THE NIGHT" project.
