Dunwoody was primarily farmland in 1960 when corporate America moved in and the residential developers discovered the beauty of the land.  Rapid growth presented numerous opportunities for school ground projects, the first of which was Dunwoody Elementary, which remained our only elementary school until 1972.  The county had allocated no funds for the grounds and our club completely landscaped the property.  We also convinced the county to install sidewalks.  The property was sold to DeKalb County and due to a huge community effort, was converted to the Dunwoody Library and North DeKalb Arts Center in August 1989.  The Dunwoody Garden Club hosted the opening of the library.  In 1994, we planted an interior atrium garden in the library vestibule.  We have maintained that garden for over 20 years and plan on continuing our commitment to this central meeting spot in Dunwoody.  In the spring of 2009, we partnered with the Friends of the Dunwoody Library to improve the exterior landscaping.  For several years, we coordinated children’s gardening projects at the library.  We also worked on the grounds at Peachtree Middle School, Dunwoody High School and other local elementary schools.  

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The Dunwoody community successfully fought for medians during the widening of Ashford-Dunwoody Road.  Our club led the effort to insist that this median be landscaped.  We raised $60,000 toward this project.

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We restored the New Hope Cemetery (55 volunteers, over several workdays, hauled 11 truckloads of overgrowth to the dump!). 

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For many years our club watered trees and worked on the grounds of the Cheek Spruill 1906 landmark Dunwoody Farmhouse to help save it.  In 1999 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

 

In 1998, a tornado damaged or destroyed 3,000 Dunwoody homes and thousands of trees were lost. The entire community came together to support “Replant the Dunwoody Forest.”  Our club donated $1,000 and led the effort to replant.  The project lasted for three years and 25,000 trees were planted.

 

In 2011, at Brook Run Park, we began work on a butterfly garden to attract pollinators to the area. The same year, we were offered the opportunity to completely redesign the main entrance to Brook Run. We accepted and quickly decided this large area would be our signature garden project. So far we have planted a multitude of permanent plants at the entrance and replaced annuals twice a year. 

 

In 2018, we added development of Windwood Hollow Park as a continuing project.

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We have raised money and contributed financially to a host of community projects and our members have been active in virtually every local civic organization, often taking leadership positions. We continue to support and work at the Dunwoody Nature Center, the Dunwoody Community Gardens, the Dunwoody Library and other areas. The monies we earn at our annual fundraiser allow us to generously contribute to the community,  to support special projects and to provide member-hours for the City of Dunwoody. As in 1967, we are still committed to keeping Dunwoody beautiful!

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