Who We Are

Friends of Shakespeare Garden Volunteers

The Friends of Shakespeare Garden (FOSG) formed in 2019 as a grassroots effort and collaboration between the Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, Wednesday Shakespeare Club, the City of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, the Linn County Master Gardeners, the Cedar Rapids Garden Club, and many community members and volunteers. Together, we work to maintain and enhance opportunities and events offered in the century old Ellis Park.

Since 2020, FOSG has been meeting monthly to raise community awareness of the garden and its history, create a revitalized plan for the garden, and strategize the best path forward to operate and maintain the garden in the future. In 2022, the FOSG began fundraising efforts to implement our vision for the garden’s future.

  • “As a life-long west-sider, I’m thrilled to be involved with a project focused on revitalizing the historic Shakespeare Garden and providing a place to experience nature. The project will provide wonderful opportunities for the entire community to learn about our history and culture, as well as to participate in volunteer opportunities, educational events, and community gatherings.”

    Elyse Garlock, NWNNA Board Member

  • "As the Maintenance Supervisor for the NW side, I see many people using the Shakespeare Garden to sit, read a book and enjoy calmness amongst nature. Over the years, the garden has become overgrown and run down from multiple floods and the derecho. A renovation would bring new life to the park and make a beautiful venue for weddings, small plays, orchestras or any other groups that want to meet in the area..."

    Tyler Wildeboer, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, NW Quadrant

  • "The Shakespeare Garden has contributed to the overall beauty of Cedar Rapids for nearly 100 years. In 1926, the women of the Wednesday Shakespeare Club recognized the need for and wished to provide a place that could be shared by all, and one cannot help but be amazed by their dedication... I feel this garden is of great significance in both understanding the history of Cedar Rapids and envisioning our future."

    Sylvia Popelka, Time Check resident, FOSG board member & historian, Wednesday Shakespeare Club

Thank you, gardeners and volunteers

Our volunteers make all the difference in maintaining our garden, coordinating events, and so much more. Thank you!

Mary Jo Crane, Rose Blank, Shirley Brost, Lois Kabela-Coates, Barbara Campbell, Gloria Jackson-Johnson, Tina Jones, and Brenda VonGorp.