In the 50 years since Michael and Belinda Straight gifted Green Spring to the Fairfax County Park Authority, this gift has become, as Mr. Straight envisioned, "a thriving center for all who love gardening and revere our past." Though Green Spring's anniversary celebration has been postponed, it is obvious that the gardens have become indispensable to our community. Our June 2020's "car count" topped June 2019's by 1,000 cars!
What's happened at Green Spring since March?
- Fairfax County continues protecting employee health and jobs. Green Spring and Fairfax County Park Authority staff are working toward reopening buildings with utmost concern for the safety of staff, volunteers, and guests (FCPA updates). In September, the Green Spring buildings will reopen for scheduled programs only.
- Front desk staff Lisa Jackson, Sandra Knapp, Pauline Perry, and Karen Aftergut cheerfully take phone orders for Plant Shop finds so lovingly tended by gardener Alda Krinsman. Curbside pickup is so popular we plan to continue it post -COVID! The Plant Shop also has reopened to walk-in customers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thanks to you a recent Plant Shop facelift beautifully brought together FROGS funding, staff creativity, and Maintenance Chief Frank Jankauskas's handiwork. Be sure to notice Frank's beautiful new gate!
- Gardens grow, oblivious to operational pause! Adult Education Program Assistant Laura Strecker shared this insider view of how a skeleton Green Spring staff pitched in as spring burst forth.
A final thank you: Your generous support for the 2019 Annual Appeal's "Smart Water" irrigation system is literally a plant lifesaver this summer. There is no way the limited number of staff and volunteers could keep our gardens alive without it.
We are all navigating new waters. We miss you and hope weekly "Little Slice of Eden" emails of FROGS members' home garden photos help you stay connected.
No one can predict when or how a new normal settles in, but we will keep you posted as re-opening continues. Because of your loyal friendship and support, Green Spring Gardens remains here for you in these stressful times.
