Scenes from the Botanic Garden – May 2020
Food-growing season winds down, but our Garden Ambassador volunteers continue to work hard on making the Botanic Garden a beautiful oasis.
Community Garden Happenings
Nancy Sanders from the Community Garden leadership team reports: “Many gardeners are closing up and getting ready for the hot summer. Some “Green Thumb” gardeners are still growing a few veggies and a lot of beautiful flowers.”





In a few weeks, we will start the process of formally reaching out to our current Community Garden members to inquire about their plans for renewal. The new season will begin October 1st, 2020 and end on September 30th, 2021. We will know more about which beds will become available at that time.
Children’s Garden – Goodbye, Grand Old Elm Tree

For some time now, we have all suspected that our beautiful, grand old elm has been unwell. This tree has brought shade to the Children’s Garden for many years. We’ve picnicked beneath its branches, birds have nested in its boughs, and squirrels have frolicked and chased one another around its trunk. Unfortunately, the grand old elm had not shown signs of life for a few seasons. For everyone’s safety, it was best to take it down.

Machinery was brought in, and expertly maneuvered around plants, statuary, and other trees. Bit by bit, the grand old elm was taken down and carted away.
After the sad farewell, Parks & Rec began to chip the wood and discovered signs that the tree had been struck by lightning. This is why the tree died so quickly, without any signs of disease. Farewell, grand old elm tree – we shall miss you!
Fragrance Garden Goings-On
The Lakes Park Botanic Garden continues to enjoy the efforts of the BEST team of volunteers ever!
Kathy Busick tells us, “The trellis in the back of the Fragrance Garden holding the Queen’s Wreath was starting to lean, and it was determined that the bottom of the upright sections were rotted.”


“The team came up with a plan and now that trellis should be good for many years to come. The same crew also tackled the leaky sink near the sheds so we can once again use it without getting a shower.”
Jewels from the Botanic Garden
Here are a few little gems that are currently growing in our gardens –



Kathy and Paula are working on plant labeling. They’re having a lot of fun trying to figure out what everything actually is! Paula continues to propagate new plants for the gardens and for plant sales from samples she gathers from here, there, and everywhere. The rest of the volunteers who remained in town for the summer continue to work hard together, and their efforts are evident. Kathy says, “Even with high heat and humidity as well as nasty mosquitos, they always show up with a smile on their faces. We leave sweaty, dirty and bug-bitten, but with the knowledge that we accomplished something positive in the Botanic Garden.”