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Plantings and flowers are growing in public spaces all over Winchester. Everywhere you look there’s something beautiful to admire, thanks to the generosity of local businesses and community organizations.
Winchester based M&M Landscaping planted the first “Adopt-an-Island” garden in the town center in the mid-80s. After owner Chet Murphy retired, his daughter Dawn Johnson took over the business and they increased the number of their island gardens to five, and plan to add two more in the near future.
“We’re a third-generation family and have lived in this community our entire lives,” Johnson said. “We want to make Winchester an even more beautiful place.”
Johnson is proud of having three female employees in a business that is typically thought of as “men’s work.”
One of the more impressive of the 22 gardens has to be the Saltmarsh Garden Terrace on the Town Common. In 2021, it was dedicated to honor Sherman “Whip” Saltmarsh Jr., a longtime Winchester resident and strong community supporter.
The beautiful landscaping, with seating and pathways, invites visitors to stroll, spend quiet time or meet with others for a cup of coffee and conversation. Forty donors funded this garden.
A wonderful garden that didn’t catch much attention until a couple of years ago is located in Elliott Park on the shore of Wedge Pond. The garden showcases a large granite monument and plaque that honors Alfred Dykes Elliott.
Who was Elliott? He was a member of the Rotary Club and Masonic Lodge, two organizations dedicated to giving back to the community. The Winchester Garden Club designed, installed, and maintains the garden since the 70s.
Anyone interesting in adopting an island can contact DPW Operations Manager Mike Wise and get on the waiting list.
