The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
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      • Farmers Market
    • Support
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  • Home
  • About
    • The Park
    • The Garden
    • Judy Black
  • At the Park
    • Events
    • Art
    • Music
    • Movies
    • Farmers Market
  • Support
  • Contact

our mission

  Our mission is 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

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.  

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. 

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.

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


Karyn Detje

President


Pels Matthews

Vice President


Carolyn Setlow

Secretary


Jennifer Urquhart

Treasurer

Andrew Flatt

Ronald Garfunkel

Michelle Gorra

Wilson Henley

Patrick Horan

Alex Ince

Susan Lerner

Michelle Madden

Maria Mostajo

Ben Paletsky

David Varnish

Darryl Wright


Denise Trevenen

President Emerita (deceased)

STAFF

Laura Neminski

Executive Director


Cotille Davis

Programs Director


Elyse Sadtler

Marketing Director

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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: info@judyblackpark.org


Washington Park Foundation, Inc. • Tax ID: 46-2392418


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