The Shakespeare Garden

Cedar Brook, Park Drive, Plainfield, NJ 07060

908-527-4900

plainfieldgardenclub.org
ucnj.org

The Shakespeare Garden is located in Cedar Brook Park, one of Union County’s system of public parks and recreation spaces. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers in collaboration with the Plainfield Garden Club in 1927, the garden recreated the historical feel of an English garden during Shakespeare’s time, using the flowers and plants mentioned in his works. At the time of its inception, the idea of a Shakespeare Garden was relatively new, but other well-known examples include the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Huntington Library in Pasadena, Central Park, and Vassar College.

The Plainfield Garden Club was founded in 1915 by a group of Plainfield women who wished to use their time and talents to beautify the city. In 1918, they made weekly flower deliveries and distributed jelly to soldiers returning from World War I at the Army Hospital in Colonia. During World War II, the Plainfield Garden Club organized Victory Gardens throughout the city and helped beautify Camp Kilmer. Today, the Plainfield Garden Club is no longer solely a women’s organization and has been tending to the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Brook Park for 95 years.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

• Stroll through the garden to be transported to Shakespearean England
• Learn about the Plainfield Garden Club’s role during the Great Depression and WWII