Project Awake Needs New Volunteers

Newton’s Project Awake is looking for volunteers. The non-profit manages the Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens within Agnes Patterson Park on the east side of town. Sveta Miller, who’s Co-President of Project Awake with Andy Stone, says an aging volunteer base is a big issue that needs addressed.

Miller says the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens cover 6 acres and draws about 10-thousand visitors every year. It includes 185 trees, two water features, the Daniel J. Krumm Horticultural Center, and 3-thousand feet of hard surface trail. Volunteers and 1 seasonal employee take care of the grounds. But Miller says that one groundskeeper is going to retire after next year.

Project Awake receives no City funding and relies on donations and revenue from rental of the Horticultural Center to meet its annual operational costs of 60-thousand dollars.