Concept designs for waterfront trail unveiled
Friday, March 24, 2006

Brewer seeks volunteer groups to maintain garden
 

The city is looking for people who like to get
their hands dirty.

City staff are working on an "Adopt a Park" program so area groups, school classes or organizations can help maintain the nearly complete Penobscot Children's Garden.

"These groups are vital," Ken Hanscom, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said Tuesday. "We realize that for this program to be successful, it's going to take long-term commitment from different groups."

The city hopes to recruit at least six volunteer groups that would adopt and maintain a portion of
the three-fourths-acre children's garden.

The waterfall, rock garden, walking bridge and performing area are in place, and the planting of the various gardens has been done, Hanscom said.

Five types of gardens will be planted at the site including a secret garden, a wetland garden, an heirloom garden, a woodland garden and an education garden that will be planted with herbs and native Maine plants. A hedge maze, plant sculptures and a story area with granite seating also are planned.

The garden was originally envisioned as a place that kids, focusing on pre-school through grade five, could call their own on the waterfront. It was intended to be a mixture of whimsy, fun and educational experiences.

The garden connects to a walking path that eventually will run the length of the city's ambitious Penobscot Landing project, which spans the area between the three bridges and the Cianbro Eastern Manufacturing Facility.

Local Boy Scout Taylor Tremble of Troop 15 already has built and installed a footbridge for the garden that allows people to walk across the rock garden.

The city will continue to mow the area and will do trimming but is relying on volunteers to work the soil, to do any planting or weeding and to water during dry weather.

Plaques that recognize the volunteer groups that care for the gardens will be displayed at the individual gardens.

For more information,
call the Brewer Parks and Recreation Department
at 989-5199.