Submitted by Lisa Nanton, President of Perth Amboy City Council; President of the Royal Garden Club and Sponsor of Resolution R-330- Naming the Garden at the Tennis Courts after Rosemary Mazzeo

PERTH AMBOY – Rosemary Mazzeo was the founder and first president of the Royal Garden Club by the Bay in April 1993. Under her leadership, the club was affiliated with the state Garden Club of New Jersey in October 1993.

Under her ambitious and enthusiastic direction, the club’s membership grew to 39 members the first year. Her initial projects numbered 11 in total: The Sunshine Gardens at the tennis courts, Olive St. Community Center, Bayview Park Bandstand, Arneson Square, Proprietary House Historic Gardens, 1683 Floral display on the slope of Bayview Park, Five Corners Butterfly Garden, Gazebo at the Waterfront, City Hall Market Square

Fragrance Garden at City Hall.

Under her leadership, the Royal Garden Club:

• Established its by-laws

• The Home Gardeners Contest

• Annual Beautification awards

• Garden Tours

• House and Garden Tours

• Annual Yuletide decorating of the Royal Governor’s Mansion

• Produced 39 Books of Evidence recording all of the Clubs gardens and events.

Because of her ability for long term planning and execution of ideas, Rosemary attracted many visitors from all over the state to Perth Amboy and through her efforts affected a positive perception of our city. The Royal Garden Club has received 93 awards to date from the state Garden Club of New Jersey for its gardens and events. Rosemarie passed away in 2011. The design of the garden by the tennis courts replicate her private home garden, also lovingly cared for by her husband Joe who recently passed away. The Royal Garden Club by the Bay requests the City of Perth Amboy name the garden at the tennis courts “ Rosemary’s Garden” in her honor, for her selfless dedication, enthusiasm, time, labor and love of our City.