One of the Bloom & Grow Garden Society’s most ambitious projects, the Path of Life, located at the Chapin Station on the West Orange Trail was started shortly after the club organized in 1997. The parcel of land was donated by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department to create a garden that would enhance the beauty of the park while protecting the natural environment. 

 

The club immediately began a twofold fund raising/civic project to turn the donated land from a garbage dump to a natural garden. Through donations and creative thinking and a lot of sweat equity by members, the Path of Life grew.  An arbor, rose garden and pond connected by a brick walkway was planned through the path. Bricks were available for purchase to be inscribed honoring or memorializing loved ones. In October of 1999, the Path of Live was officially opened. 

 

It was recognized nationally in 2001, when the Bloom & Grow Garden Society received the prestigious Kellogg Award for Civic Achievement. The National Council of State Garden Clubs bestows this award to one garden club that has shown distinguished civic or conservation work that has made a permanent improvement for the benefit of the public. 

 

And, you can still enjoy it today. Benches have been placed along the brick  

pathway to sit and enjoy nature. 

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We have a unique opportunity for members of the community to honor friends, relatives or someone special. For a donation of $75 to the Bloom & Grow Garden Society, you will receive an engraved pathway brick. The brick, with the engraving of your choice, will be set into the pathway that lines the garden. All donations go back into the maintenance of the Path of Life.

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society works in conjunction with Orange County Parks and Recreation to enhance the Chapin Station section of the Trail. The engraved brick pathway winds among the lush trees and colorful gardens and provides a serene place to sit and listen to nature. 

Bricks can also be personalized for a birthday, anniversary or as a remembrance of a special person.

 

Please help us continue to accomplish our goal by participating in this unique project! See below for form.

Directions to The Path of Life: Take the 429 north (either from the Turnpike or Highway 50 (just East of Winter Garden) and Exit on Plant Street. Go West on Plant St to Crown Point Springs Rd., turn right. Go to Crown Point Cross Rd and turn left. Go past the 4-way stop sign and turn right into the Chapin Station Park. Follow the sidewalk past the trailhead to The Path of Life.

 

Below is a presentation of the history of the Path of Life by member, Jackie Brown Colberg who was the driving force in taking the Path of Life from a muddy garbage strewn piece of property to a serene, natural garden. Listening to her presentation, the hours and days of sweat equity come to life to transform the Path into an award winning civic achievement!