Middletown Library Building Joyce Murphy Children's Garden

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This week, the Middletown Library released this photo that shows how the new children's garden at the library will look.

The children's garden will be dedicated to the memory of longtime Middletown library employee Joyce P. Murphy, who passed away in 2021.

It will be called the Joyce P. Murphy Children’s Garden.

"Joyce loved working with the children of the library,” said Kevin Murphy, Joyce’s husband. “It's fitting that the garden in her memory is just outside the children's room, and now will bring the children and community together in a beautiful place where they can read and grow."

The garden is supposed to be completed in mid-July, and will be an inviting outdoor space for story times, library programs and contemplation. The gated garden will include landscaping with all native plant species, programming space, permanent seating and a water feature.

Joyce was a beloved long-term employee of the Middletown Public Library who passed away unexpectedly in February of 2021. During her twelve years at the MTPL, Joyce worked in the Children’s Department and managed the library’s social media. She was a dedicated advocate for children’s literacy and learning.

The Joyce P. Murphy Children’s Garden design and installation will be done by TerraCasa LLC.

Funds were primarily donated by the Murphy family. Additional contributions were provided by The Friends of MTPL and the Library Board of Trustees, which approved contributing funds from the unrestricted donation account of the library. Matthew Boylan of Boylan Tree Services donated the tree rounds that will be used in the garden’s program space.

“I'm thrilled to see the library grow its children’s programming with this beautiful garden and also provide our residents with a new area to learn and make memories — all while honoring the late Joyce P. Murphy," said Mayor Tony Perry.