Park Place Garden Club says ‘thanks’

November 10, 2009

Anonymous The Laurel Leader-Call Tue Nov 10, 2009, 09:19 AM CST

Letter to the editor:

During the Spring of this year, Park Place Garden Club contacted Jackie Lee, Executive Director of Laurel Express, and indicated a desire to initiate an ongoing civic beautification project in Historic Downtown Laurel. Members were specifically interested in landscaping Central Avenue at Spec Wilson Boulevard and in covering an unsightly electrical box at the intersection with latticework and vines. In combination with the town clock in the traffic circle, the intersection forms a major gateway into the CBD from Interstate 59 and affords a primary view for thousands of visitors to events at the Train Depot and through the area aboard AMTRAK each year.

At this point, the project became a dazzling exercise in generosity, coordination and cooperation among local people of good will and city employees who worked with Park Place Garden Club to complete the initial phase of the design.

Since all worthwhile achievements in the community generally involve a great deal of teamwork and effort from a number of people, Park Place Garden Club members extend our thanks not only to all who have assisted to date, but we also wish to single out a few individuals for special note.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Jackie Lee, who served as liaison to the City of Laurel and invited our larger participation in downtown beautification, asking us to submit a landscape design prototype with plantings which could be used in combination or singly at other locations for a future cohesive appearance in the CBD. She has further partnered with us and plans to solicit funds for a handsome “Welcome” sign to incorporate in the landscaping. Cynthia Rahaim, Arborist, waived large professional fees and volunteered to create the design according to ideas from Park Place and Laurel Express and the demands of the space, then selected and ordered the plantings, and worked with city crews on bed preparation. She has pledged continuing support as club funds become available for future phases of the project.

City employees who deserve a special round of applause include the following: Elvin Ulmer, City Parks and Recreation Director, who gave approval for the project and his department’s participation, as well as his continued interest; Cynthia Hopkins, City Horticulturist, who offered encouragement and input; Genora Harris, who supervises the care and maintenance of the plantings; and Sophia Gamble, whose dedicated care and watering of the new plantings with timely input to her supervisor resulted in minimal loss during the hot summer. She and Genora performed a special intervention at one point with the resulting loss of only one Leyland Cypress. (The city plans to replace the tree.) To all other city crews who assisted in measuring the area, plotting underground electrical wires (only 7” in places), building the latticework cage for the electrical box, and countless other jobs, please accept our gratitude.

A special nod also goes to downtown merchant Harold Frohman, who purchased soaker hoses and rushed them to Genora and the Parks Department crews to facilitate saving the new plantings during the heat wave. Park Place members express our thanks to him on this occasion, as well as to all of our husbands and significant others who support our efforts throughout the year on projects.

Park Place Garden Club invites other organizations and garden clubs to join us in beautification efforts not only in the Historic Downtown, but also throughout our area. After all, we must all take responsibility for the quality of life in our area.

Mary Anne Sumrall, President

Paulette Boone Frohman, CBD Beautification Chair

Park Place Garden Club

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