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The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
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our mission

  To be a gathering place in Washington that invites friends and neighbors to relax, learn, play, and share all that our community offers. 

Our history

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What Was Once an Abandoned Gas Station

For decades, Vinnie’s Texaco Station anchored the center of Washington Depot. When its owner closed the business, it sat empty as an abandoned lot, detracting from the beauty of this scenic community. In 2013, a small group of four local businesspeople, Michael Ackerman, Barbara Bouyea, Peter Talbot, and Denise Trevenen; and resident visionary John Millington, shared a dream: the purchase of the site of the garage and its transformation into a park, an events space and a vibrant community hub.  

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Purchased with Support from Generous Donors

With the support of 40 donors, including substantial gifts from Rita and Gus Hauser and the Gould Foundation, the founders raised $650,000 and in August 2013 purchased the property. Together, they formed The Washington Park Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose goal was to refurbish the vacant gas station and transform the property into a landscaped park. In 2015, the founding Board of Directors, including Michael Ackerman, Barbara Bouyea, Peter Talbot and Denise Trevenen, announced its first capital campaign to fund the project. 

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The Judy Black Leadership Gift

 With generous support from local residents, the Washington Park Foundation had raised nearly one-third of its goal, but still had a long way to go. Then, a local part-time resident of 30-years, Judy Black, stepped forward to offer a leadership gift that would enable the foundation to refurbish the building and create a beautiful town square framed by landscaped gardens. The park was renamed The Judy Black Park and Gardens to honor Ms. Black’s Leadership Gift. Upon her untimely death in late 2015, the park was renamed The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens.

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Dedicated to the Community

On the occasion of the 2016 Dedication of the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, U.S. Senator Christopher S. Murphy wrote, ”Connecticut is fortunate to have generous advocates and local leaders like the Washington Park Foundation to help beautify our towns and bring livable, playable recreation spaces into the lives of children and families… Thanks to the memory and kindness of people like Judy Black, this park’s Leadership Gift donor, generations of Washington residents will have a safe place to further their health, happiness and wellbeing.”

board of Trustees

Denise Trevenen

President


Karyn Detje

Vice President


Pels Matthews

Vice President


Carolyn Setlow

Secretary


Patrick Horan

Treasurer

Chrissy Armstrong

Barbara Bouyea

Ronald Garfunkel 

Wilson Henley 

Julie King

Maria Mostajo

Jennifer Urquhart

Tony Vengrove

Darryl Wright

Laura Neminski

Executive Director

stay in touch

Or better yet, visit us in person!

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is located in the center of Washington Depot, CT and is easy to find using GPS.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens

1 Green Hill Road, Washington, Connecticut 06793, United States

Email Inquiries: laura@thejudyblackparkandgardens.org


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