Trustees’ Garden Club Develops Stewardship Plan for Savannah’s Forsyth Park

August 30, 2023

Three-phase plan will preserve one of America’s oldest municipal parks

Spanning more than 30 acres in Savannah’s beautiful historic district, Forsyth Park is one of the oldest municipal parks in the United States. For many decades, Trustees’ Garden Club, a member of The Garden Club of America, has backed efforts to preserve the park, most recently through the development of a multi-year, three-phase Stewardship Plan.

Club members recognized the need for a comprehensive master plan to guide projects and preservation efforts. The plan, completed in 2021 with consideration of community input, includes guidelines for tree canopy preservation, lighting and facility enhancements, maintenance recommendations and more. The club coordinated and produced the master plan as a gift to the city.  

The second phase of the Stewardship Plan, now underway, will pursue the designation of Forsyth Park as a National Historic Landmark. Phase three will establish a conservancy to preserve and protect the historic integrity of the park and raise funds to execute the master plan.  

The Garden Club of America has contributed to Forsyth Park’s important role in the life of the city, most recently through a generous $10,000 Restoration Grant to fund the planting of 22 trees to replace those lost in recent hurricanes. The master plan tree canopy recommendations were used to inform the project.

Members of Trustees’ Garden Club have worked in close partnership with the City of Savannah in all these efforts, a model example of a successful public private partnership to support treasured public green spaces. For further information, see friendsofforsyth.org.

 

See All News