Why Charlotte’s Garden?
Charlotte Sagoff was a vibrant and active member of the Acton community for more than 25 years. She was an avid reader and Acton Memorial Library patron, founder of Acton Earth Day, President of ACES, (Acton Citizens for Environmental Safety), member of the Acton Board of Health, a founding member of the Acton Food Coop, and a member of the McCarthy Towne School Community Council. She was a master networker, and environmental and social activist who especially cared about the issue of clean drinking water and worked diligently to ensure that two Acton municipal drinking water wells, found in the late 1970’s to contain industrial contamination from the WR Grace site, were cleaned up to meet federal drinking water standards.
During 2008, a group of Acton residents and friends set out to honor Charlotte’s memory. With the help of many local people, businesses, and town officials, a lovely new seating garden just outside the main entrance of the Acton Memorial Library will soon be a reality. Features include:
- Three benches (one next to current sidewalk)
- Brick path & patio (handicap accessible)
- Garden w/low maintenance, attractive plantings
- Granite block table
- Word bricks with Charlotte-like “directives” (“love”, “laugh”, “learn”, “read”, etc.)
This privately funded project was organized by members of the Acton Memorial Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of the Acton Libraries, and ACES (Acton Citizens for Environmental Safety). Funding was provided by over 100 generous donors, including business & community group sponsors, and individual donors.