Civic Garden Center

The Civic Garden Center (CGC) is a non-profit horticultural resource whose mission is building community through gardening, education and environmental stewardship. Founded in 1942, the CGC is the only organization of its kind in our region. Our administrative office building is located at 2715 Reading Road on the former estate of Cornelius J. Hauck. Here we host classes, a horticultural library, several gardens for visitors to enjoy free of charge, the Green Learning Station (GLS) and an outdoor compost classroom; the building and grounds are available for event and meeting rental. Off the main campus, the CGC has supported the development and continued success of over 50 community and children’s gardens throughout the city. Our outreach efforts include the Community Gardens, Youth Education and School Gardens programs. Our largest fundraising event, The Plant Sale, is held annually the first weekend in May, and accomplished with the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Many opportunities to volunteer are offered both on and off site, in community and school gardens, in forests, in the Hoffman Library, and within the administrative offices. Donors and volunteers of the CGC receive several benefits, including borrowing privileges from the Hoffman Library; and may attend classes at no cost. From the earliest classes in Victory Gardening to our most recent projects focusing on green infrastructure, the Green Learning Station and habitat restoration in 2 forests adjacent to to high schools, the Civic Garden Center has become the place in the tri-state area to learn about living more sustainably at home, at work, and in your neighborhood.