The upcoming 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmstead created a theme for discussion about the power and importance of nature for this year’s Four Club Luncheon hosted by the Perennial Planters Garden Club at the Agawam Hunt Club in East Providence.
During the past year and half, most of us spent more time outdoors walking, biking and looking for an escape from the captivity and limitations caused by the pandemic. This relief, solace and freedom we found in nature is nothing new according to Daniel Nadenicek, Professor and Draper Chair of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia and the speaker for this year’s gathering of 90 horticulture enthusiasts. Outdoors, under a sunny September sky, he shared the visions and works of Frederick Law Olmstead, Frederick Billings and Horace Cleveland who collectively designed, created and worked to set aside land that became some of our country’s most treasured outdoor public spaces. Among them are Central Park in New York City ( F.L. Olmstead), Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, VT
( F. Billings, whose land conservation efforts also led to what we know as Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks) and Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI ( H. Cleveland).
These three men along with literary ‘influencers’ of the 1800’s ( ie. Andrew Jackson Downing: “plant spacious parks in your cities” ) had a clear understanding of the power and importance of creating and preserving outdoor spaces accessible to all. They believed that spending time out in nature provided mental, spiritual and physical health benefits. 150 years later, we all know this to be true. Here in Rhode Island more than a million visitors a year enjoy Roger Williams Park, designed by Horace Cleveland in 1878. He further explained his belief in the benefits of spending time outdoors in his final publication before his death: “The Influence of Parks in the Character of Children.”
This annual luncheon was organized by Liz Mauran and Nancy Compton from the Perennial Planters of Providence. Other Rhode Island clubs in attendance were from Newport, Little Compton and the South County Garden Club which will host next year’s gathering.
During the past year and half, most of us spent more time outdoors walking, biking and looking for an escape from the captivity and limitations caused by the pandemic. This relief, solace and freedom we found in nature is nothing new according to Daniel Nadenicek, Professor and Draper Chair of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia and the speaker for this year’s gathering of 90 horticulture enthusiasts. Outdoors, under a sunny September sky, he shared the visions and works of Frederick Law Olmstead, Frederick Billings and Horace Cleveland who collectively designed, created and worked to set aside land that became some of our country’s most treasured outdoor public spaces. Among them are Central Park in New York City ( F.L. Olmstead), Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, VT
( F. Billings, whose land conservation efforts also led to what we know as Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks) and Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI ( H. Cleveland).
These three men along with literary ‘influencers’ of the 1800’s ( ie. Andrew Jackson Downing: “plant spacious parks in your cities” ) had a clear understanding of the power and importance of creating and preserving outdoor spaces accessible to all. They believed that spending time out in nature provided mental, spiritual and physical health benefits. 150 years later, we all know this to be true. Here in Rhode Island more than a million visitors a year enjoy Roger Williams Park, designed by Horace Cleveland in 1878. He further explained his belief in the benefits of spending time outdoors in his final publication before his death: “The Influence of Parks in the Character of Children.”
This annual luncheon was organized by Liz Mauran and Nancy Compton from the Perennial Planters of Providence. Other Rhode Island clubs in attendance were from Newport, Little Compton and the South County Garden Club which will host next year’s gathering.