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Neighbor News

Salem Friendship & Garden Club Restores Legacy Garden in Salem Town Forest

Volunteers rally to restore a cherished community garden after a challenging winter season.

Peg Gioia leads the SFGC Town Forest Garden restoration team.
Peg Gioia leads the SFGC Town Forest Garden restoration team. (SFGC Photo Gallery)

Salem Friendship & Garden Club Restores Legacy Garden in Salem Town Forest

Following one of the harshest winters in recent memory, the Salem Friendship & Garden Club (SFGC) recently completed a major restoration of its Legacy Garden located in the Salem Town Forest. The project, led by dedicated club volunteer Deb Gioia and supported by a team of enthusiastic members, was completed at the end of May.

The Legacy Garden, which serves as a beautiful and welcoming destination for visitors to the Town Forest, faced significant challenges this year. According to Gioia, “This year the Town Forest gardens face some new challenges. Damage from wildlife, unleashed dogs, and the recent removal of nearby trees and brush have taken a toll on the gardens and changed the landscape surrounding them.”

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The restoration effort involved extensive cleanup and replanting to bring new life back to the garden beds. Volunteers spent countless hours preparing the site and developing a plan to ensure the garden remains vibrant and sustainable for years to come.

Looking ahead, the club’s 2026 stewardship efforts will focus on continued restoration and maintenance through replanting, watering, weeding, pruning, and litter cleanup. Volunteers will also work to identify and introduce plant varieties better suited to withstand changing environmental conditions and increased animal activity.

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The Salem Friendship & Garden Club takes great pride in maintaining the Legacy Garden as a gift to the community. Through the dedication of volunteers like Deb Gioia and her team, the garden continues to provide a place of beauty, reflection, and enjoyment for all who visit the Salem Town Forest.

The club extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in the restoration project and looks forward to another season of growth and community stewardship.

While SFGC does not hold regular member meetings during July and August, the club remains active throughout the summer with ongoing garden projects, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings, and special events. New members are always welcome to join us and become part of our growing circle of friendship, service, and gardening enthusiasm. To learn more about the Salem Friendship & Garden Club or to become a member, please visit https://sfgc-nh.org/.

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