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The California Nursery Garden Club is the volunteer organization that tends the gardens at the California Nursery Historical Park, a city park in Fremont, California (map). We are located at 36501 Niles Blvd, at the intersection of Nursery Avenue and Niles Boulevard.
The Garden Club works with the City of Fremont and Math Science Nucleus to keep the gardens maintained, historic, and educational.
We meet at the park on Mondays and Thursdays from 10-12, with some exceptions. We have special work parties as needed. See our Volunteer Page.
The historic display gardens of the California Nursery Company have been tended by volunteers since 1994.
The California Nursery Garden Club was the name of the first garden club in 1994. Soon they changed their name to the Friends of Heirloom Flowers because they worked at Shinn Park on Tuesdays and the nursery park on Thursdays. The Friends of Heirloom Flowers installed the "Butterfly Garden". They renovated the historic Display Gardens of the nursery. These beds are at least 83 years old and contain historic roses and many modern roses that are not longer sold. We are again the California Nursery Garden Club.
There is always something blooming at the park. The gardens around the old nursery office were called the Show Gardens or Display Gardens. Whatever was in bloom would entice someone to purchase that plant.
Over time, the main entrance garden has been known as the Niles Rose Garden. Originally there were roses in summer and fall and flowering bulbs in spring. Imagine the work to swap over all of those plants!
Not so long ago there was a nursery center across from the Show Gardens. It was finally taken down in 2010.
This garden bloom calendar will be continuously updated as the years go by.
To preserve, maintain, and restore the gardens around the historic 1907 nursery office and the 1934 Display Gardens.
To preserve the cultural heritage of the nursery so generations to come will have an authentic visual connection to the people who made this nursery landscape.
To form a community of gardeners of diverse backgrounds to work for the common good of our region.
To teach people about the plants and the gardens, the history of horticulture, and the history of the California Nursery Company
To make connections with other organizations related to horticulture - roses, palms, fruit, ornamentals, succulents, conifers, native, and introduced plants.
We meet at the California Nursery Historical Park
most Monday and Thursday mornings 10-noon unless it is a holiday or raining or too hot and smoky
Please read and fill out the insurance waiver form before coming to park if possible. We have printed copies at the park.
We take care of the historic Display Gardens, the Japanese/shade garden, the cactus garden, the pollinator garden, and the general grounds around the old California Nursery Company office.
Bring your sharp bypass clippers, gloves, long sleeves, and water. Roses are very thorny, so gauntlet gloves are a good idea for rose-pruning days. If you don't have tools we have some to loan.
If you would like to volunteer, please fill out waivers before coming to the park. Contact us via the email at the bottom of this page. See the Volunteer page for more information.
If you are interested in other volunteering opportunities at the park, contact the Math Science Nucleus, the organization that coordinates other volunteer days at the park.
Special volunteer events will appear in the Events on our Facebook page and on Volunteer Match.
Guide to other gardening volunteer opportunities in Fremont.
The California Nursery Historial Park is located at 36501 Niles Blvd. in Fremont CA.
Ample parking is available in the park near the Vallejo Adobe and the bathrooms. Additional Parking is located near LEAF at the eastern edge of the park. Parking is also available along Niles Boulevard next to the park.