In Ashland, Illinois, the Prairie Skies Public Library District has unveiled Dorothy’s Garden, a pair of outdoor spaces honoring the late librarian Dorothy Newell. These gardens reflect Newell’s passions for books, gardening, and community.
The western garden is pollinator-friendly, featuring benches, a play drum, and a reading area. The eastern garden focuses on growing produce, including herbs and vegetables, and offers themed sections like a sensory-friendly space and a “Peter Rabbit” garden. Produce from the garden will be available for donation to the library.
Additionally, a Garden Club for children is being launched to educate them about nature and garden maintenance. The gardens incorporate Newell’s favorite plants, such as yellow tulips and cherry tomatoes, serving as a lasting and welcoming tribute to her memory.
Instead of a plaque or ceremony, Dorothy Newell’s impact lives on through something that grows, educates, and serves. Her favorite things—books, gardens, children—are now physically woven into the daily life of a community she loved.
This project was built by and for the people of Ashland. It’s a reminder that even small towns can do big things when they come together—and that beauty and purpose can grow anywhere, literally and figuratively.
By launching a children’s Garden Club, the project doesn’t just honor the past—it plants seeds for the future. Kids will learn about responsibility, nature, food, and giving back. That’s generational impact.
