Exciting times here at the Conservancy as we broke ground this week on phase 1 of our fall project, the Valley St. Border Landscaping/Path project, generously funded by a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. To prepare for a volunteer planting event on October 5, Landscape Consultant Jennifer Ryan and Conservancy chair Deborah Lyons unloaded 100 shrubs to the greenhouse with the help of the Maplewood Garden Club’s David Nial. We thank the Garden Club for hosting our plants while they await planting at the border of Oakview Avenue and Valley St.!
We also staked out the area for the new path, and planted new trees with the DPW. The new walkway along the Valley St. border will complete the interior pathway loop around the park, providing better pedestrian access and a safe and pleasant way for park goers, commuters, and those with mobility issues to traverse the park and avoid the busy Valley St. roadway. Designs for the pathway can be seen in 1922 plans for the park by the Olmsted Brothers.
Landscaping at the two corners of Oakview will highlight and beautify the entry to the park. Adapted from historic plans by landscape consultant Jennifer C. Ryan and adapted to current climate and needs of contemporary park goers, the plan features eight majestic Dawn Redwood Trees and 125 shrubs and perennials.
Landscaping along the border of the path will be completed in subsequent phases, tentatively scheduled for spring 2025.
If you’d like to join our planting on October 5, from 9 am to 12 pm, rsvp at info@maplewoodmemorialparkconservancy.org
We are very grateful to AARP, whose Community Challenge grant program funds innovative, quick-action projects that inspire change in areas such as public places, housing, transportation and more. And grateful to our partnership with the Township of Maplewood, the Engineering Department and the Department of Public Works.
