Historic Hydrangea Trail in Atlantic City, NJ...RETURNS!

The 48Blocks Program of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation unlocked the creativity.
The Inlet Revitalization Committee asked for ideas for improving the
quality of life in the First Ward
and Beverly Constant Bromley suggested:

"Bring back the Hydrangea Trail!" 


Karen Rosnick took the idea and suggested a three-year approach.
The project "grew" exponentially once Gail Karslo joined the team.
Bruce Ward made it legal!


When the work is complete we want the Hydrangea Trail 2.0 to be recognized
as one of the Gardens of the Garden State.







Welcome to Hydrangea Trail 2.0

Promoting the HT2.0 encourages knowledge of history and horticulture, conservation of native and introduced plants, and appreciation for the role of flowers to reduce stress, create beauty, fuel community pride, and attract visitors as well as residents.

Interested in reading the current issue of INN - Inlet Neighborhood News? Email [email protected]

Welcome to the IHTV website

The people who volunteer to reestablish the Hydrangea Trail are called the Inlet Hydrangea Trail Volunteers (IHTV). We're a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation.

In the first year (2022) we gathered like-minded people and began the restoration of the containers at Gardner's Basin, AC, NJ.

This project has been well received by the community, City Council of AC, & CRDA (Casino Redevelopment Authority), Leaders in Training (LIT), Oceanside Family Success Center, and Atlantic Cape Community College.

Catching the IHTV team in action

We work with an awesome team! The fact is - we're always looking for more volunteers.
Meet us on the trail!

"The trail shall prevail." Bruce Ward

Phoebe, Gail, Karen, & Bev

Ready for the 1st Fundraiser! 1/31/23

Phoebe is a volunteer and a Board Member.

Patti, Rasheema, Karen, Kelli, & Bev

Finished with Day#2 of the  Mother's Day Hydrangea Sale

5/13/23

Frankie Nero & Diane DeBiasi

Accepting flower seedlings started by children at the Oceanside Family Success Center 

5/10/23

Jean Muchanic is a great friend to the IHTV and a Board Member too

Jean is Ex. Director of Absecon Lighthouse. The IHTV donated six hydrangeas for the Lighthouse garden facing Vermont Ave.

6/1/23

Jody, Bev, & Pam

IHTV prepare for an event

On June 25 we are getting ready for December 25 as we create felt hydrangeas for the Boardwalk Hall Christmas tree display.

Libbie & Bruce

48Blocks, June 25, 2023

Volunteers meet at the Carriage House in Gardner's Basin to prepare for events, June '23.
It's wonderful having two restaurants close by so we can keep the volunteers happy, not "hangry."

Egg Harbor Township HS Key Club

June 25, 2023

These students came to the 48Blocks Summer Festival on June 25, 2023 to help the IHTV with crafting tasks.

EHTHS
Key Club

June 25, 2023

After an afternoon of crafting felt flowers for the IHTV Christmas tree at Boardwalk Hall the Key Club members took home real hydrangea blossoms. Ralph Hunter, IHTV Board Member joined them for this picture.

Trish 

All-round bike specialist 

Trish's bike expertise helped us prep the bike for the complete makeover! She is wise AND crafty! July 2023

Donna

Creative crafter

Donna "pinkified" the bike surface, spokes, rims, and handlebars with ribbon, silk flowers, and bling. July 2023

Elsa & Patti

First art bike installation

Elsa & Patti worked together to create a beautiful blue art bike. They were invested in every aspect of this project and proudly, and temporarily, installed the new blue bike next to the new blue sign.

Gardner's Basin new sign 

(sparkles!)

Enhanced by the beautiful art bike installation
IHTV July 12, 2023
Originally prepared as a way to welcome the governors to AC .

Events for IHTV, Fall '23

Happy Hour, Field Trips, Farm Markets, & Art Festivals 

20

September

2023

venue

The first installation of the Hydrangea Trail, outside of Gardner's Basin

location

300 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ


Timeline of the HT2.0 - history, horticulture, & art

In the 1940's - 1970's the first Hydrangea Trail was developed by the Garden Clubs of Atlantic City and supported by the swanky hotels, city government, and The Press of Atlantic City. It was a week-long celebration that culminated in the crowing of a Hydrangea Queen (a much coveted title).

Hydrangea Trail 2.0 encompasses community activism and connections, promotes neighborhood beautification, and encourages expressions of creativity through flowers.

2017

Sparking creativity - 48Blocks

48Blocks encourages AC residents to create and share art across the 48Blocks of AC.
Neighbors in the First Ward actively participate in this program by painting and planting colorful flowers in the large urns on Caspian Ave, yarn bombing a fence with an intricate ocean and flower scene, and planning the opening and closing parties.

2018

Expressing creativity

First Ward neighbors participate in year two of 48Blocks with plastic noodle art, neighborhood garden tours, painted art bikes, and more painting of large urns.

2019

Garden art earns awards

First Ward gardeners continue to share their artistic gardens with the community through the 48Blocks Art Festival. Additionally, the painted urns and individual gardens earn blue ribbons in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society gardening contest.

2020

Covid kills the gathering, but not the program

Garden tours became virtual and short videos were submitted and shared on the ACAF website for the 2020 48Blocks Art Festival.

2021

Adirondack chair preparation for 48Blocks

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope." Lady Bird Johnson. This quote appears on the side of the Adirondack chair painted by two founding members of the Hydrangea Trail 2.0.

2022

The Inlet Revitalization Committee embraces the concept of  Hydrangea Trail 2.0

The committee was in search of ideas to improve quality of life in the First Ward and help establish safe and clean neighborhoods. The reestablishment of the Hydrangea Trail provides an anchor program for the committee work.

2023

Supporting the HT2.0

Grants supporting the HT2.0:
Atlantic City Community Fund (2022 & 2023), Thrive AC!, Sustainable Jersey, and Atlantic County Office of Cultural History Affairs. Additionally, private donations helped the Volunteers purchase plants and supplies prior to the funding awards.

Gallery of HT2.0

Pictures help to tell our story.

We love to take pictures and show them to the world.

Hydrangea Trail installation planned for Fisherman's Park. This work will be primarily managed by students from ACIT and FWS personnel.

Inlet Hydrangea Trail Volunteers are offered formal gardening training, at no personal cost. The IHTV trainee needs to create a short presentation upon completion of the training.

Organizers of the Mother's Day Hydrangea Sale at the Absecon Lighthouse,
May 2023

An example of 'before & after' courtesy of  Hydrangea Trail 2.0 volunteers.
June 2022 

Young women from local Garden Clubs, 1961, hoping to be crowned the next Hydrangea Queen.

Examine the photo carefully and see how times have changed!

Meet the HT2.0 Hydrangea Queen, 
"Ortensia." She was created by Beverly and can be viewed at the Carriage House in Gardner's Basin.

April 2023

July 29, 2022
First public event for HT2.0. The IHTV set up a table at Absecon Lighthouse and distributed hydrangea cuttings inside brightly painted terracotta.

Hydrangeas are the favorite summer flower. They bloom from June through October.
Come to Gardner's Basin and see these varieties:  Endless Summer and Limelight!

Volunteers make the difference!
The HT2.0 is a 100% volunteer organization.
Most volunteers are AC residents, but we also have faithful volunteers from Northfield, Galloway, and Philadelphia.

6/22

Painted urns on the corner of Caspian and New Hampshire Ave. (2018) earned awards from Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for enriching an urban landscape with  perennials & colorful annuals.

The Inlet Hydrangea Trail Volunteers purchased an evergreen and a stabilizing cage for the First Ward Christmas tree on the beach. One nasty nor'easter swept the whole installation out to sea.     

Dec. 2022

Meetings to help promote the HT2.0 take place at the Carriage House in Gardner's Basin.

This facility is directly across from the front steps of the Back Bay Ale House. 

Dec. 2022