The Rockland Yacht Club (RYC) leases its space from the city of Rockland and is housed within the harbormaster’s office at the Rockland Public Landing. You enter the yacht club from the rear of the building and as you enter you wander through a large garden of perennial flowers, shrubs, annual flowers and nautical garden pieces, like the two large and rusted admiralty anchors that flank an azalea bush. The garden path is made from cobblestones once used in the city’s streets. Two benches and several chunks of granite make nice spots to sit, rest and enjoy the garden.
For the past several years RYC members have volunteered for spring clean ups, weeding, pruning and mulching the gardens. The past two years the gardens have been practically washed out from winter storms, but have rallied and returned in full bloom thanks to RYC members and summer volunteer work spearheaded by MaryBeth Pride with lots of help from husband Ken, and fellow RYC member and master gardener Leslie Coleman.
Along with perennials members have added herbs and annuals, several of which self seed giving the garden a burst of bright Cosmo flowers in early fall, aromatic mint, dill, and basil from late summer on.
RYC members enjoy the gardens, but boaters coming in and out of Rockland frequently comment on how pretty and welcoming the gardens are. Many folks walking the boardwalk have spoken about how much they enjoy watching the gardens change from spring to late fall.
Blues Festival, Lobster Festival, the weekly farmers markets visitors have been so respectful of the garden, even stopping to pull a weed or water a plant.
Last year fall cruise ship passengers posed for pictures using the gardens as a backdrop.
Thanks to the good stewards of RYC the gardens continue to bloom and thrive.
Anyone interested in volunteering in the gardens is encouraged to contact MaryBeth Pride at marybpride@gmail.com
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