
Written By Megin Potter | Photos provided
[From the 2025 Home & Garden Magazine]
The Heritage Garden Club is bringing the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center patio garden back to life.

The beautiful and historic Saratoga Visitor Center building is owned and maintained by the City of Saratoga Springs – a city that values its past and works to preserve it for future generations. We appreciate the city’s diligence regarding the maintenance and repair of this wonderful building everyone loves so much”, said Karen Verrigni, Director, Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center. After years of deterioration, the roof shielding the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center’s covered patio from the elements was slated for reconstruction. As repairs began, additional problems with the structure were revealed, and the area, which features an abundant memorial garden, was closed for more than two years. “We are grateful for the city’s commitment”

The Visitor Center’s Garden was started in 1987 by Maki Jacknowitz, a founding member of the Heritage Garden Club, a local garden club affiliated with the NYS and Federated Garden Clubs of America. The Club created and cares for three of Saratoga’s public gardens, sponsors workshops, speakers, and students interested in the environment.

“The garden means a lot to us, and we were really broken-hearted when it closed, but one thing led to another and completing the repairs became a really long, complicated process,” said the Heritage Garden Club’s Vice President Mariann Gold.
Repairs of the building’s roof, chimney, pillars, and electrical wiring were completed by construction crews under contract with the City of Saratoga Springs. The area was reopened in July 2024.


The Heritage Garden Club typically tends to the garden every Tuesday in the spring and summer seasons, but because they were unable to maintain it for such a long time, it had become quite overgrown and filled with litter. They removed invasive bittersweet and bishop’s weed, spread compost (generously provided through their working partnership with the Saratoga Springs DPW) and filled annual pots with coleus and ivy. Pollinator plants brought life back to the garden while visitors enjoyed use of the picnic tables in the sheltered space – a welcome refuge from the summer heat located at the gateway to the city.

This year, the Heritage Garden Club’s patio garden is experiencing a full restart – the refreshing and rearranging of flowers began on Earth Day. “What an appropriate and welcome kick-off to the season! Spring is a time of new beginnings, growth and renewal. Gardening brings joy to life! We appreciate the beauty the gardeners create for everyone to enjoy”, said Karen.
∅The Heritage Garden Club’s annual Perennial Plant, Herb, and Garden Décor Sale is on May 31st, 9 am – sold out, at the Italian American Center, 247 Grand Ave., Saratoga Springs.

The public is invited to enjoy the Visitor Center, patio, and gardens, Tuesday-Saturday 9am – 5pm. (The space is also available for special occasion group rentals).
The club is always seeking new members!
Scott Schechner launched their new Facebook page, which can be found at
@HeritageGardenClubofSaratogaSprings

