The Conservancy’s annual Tulip Dig and Sale, which is produced each year in cooperation with the City of Albany, will not take place this year. In addition to the impact of COVID-19 on logistical planning, the tulip beds in the park had a disappointing showing this year. City Gardener Jessica Morgan explains, “due to the warmer than normal spring months that we had while the tulips were growing, a fungus has sprung up in the tulip beds in the City Gardens at the Moses area. We do not wish to pass this to your home gardens by selling the bulbs this year.” After digging up the beds, the City plans to distribute any salvageable bulbs to Albany’s neighborhood associations, then repair and recondition the beds before planting for next year.
Because of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the Conservancy has also made the decision to cancel all other public programs and events for the rest of 2020, including our annual fundraiser, September Splendor, and the Lantern Parade, which would have taken place at the end of October.
This year, the Conservancy will focus all of our efforts on planning and implementing other projects on behalf of the park, including a major investment in tree planting, completing the installation of lighting around the Moses fountain, planning a new playground, developing a book on the history of Washington Park, and planning for the Park’s 150th anniversary in 2021. We are also pleased to be a sponsor again this year for the Washington Park Farmer’s Market.
The funds that the Washington Park Conservancy raises each year through events and membership contributions always directly support our investments in the Park, because as an all-volunteer organization, we have no overhead expenses such as staff or office space. So your support this year still matters, and rest assured, your donations will make a difference in all that we can accomplish in this changed environment.