New Bench in Memoriam Debby Merker

Bench donated by dog park friends of  Debby Merker in her memory

e Bench donated by dog park friends of Debby Merker in her memory

Many of you will have noticed that we have a new bench in the park.  It’s been getting a lot of use, so it seems to be a welcome addition.  The bench was donated by a group of Debby Merker’s friends in her memory, and it was expertly assembled by member Joseph Garrity and his brother Patrick.  Debby, with her two yellow Labradors Betsy and Oakley, were beloved park regulars.  Debby’s kindness and generosity were legendary, and she is greatly missed,

The people listed below made donations for the bench.  Excess funds over the cost of the bench will be donated to Main Line Animal Rescue, Debby’s preferred rescue organization where she got Betsy and Oakley.

Bench Donors

Dorthe Andersen, Janice Asher,  Judy Argon, Steve Axelrod, Ellen Briggs, Jill Cooper, Lee Dante, Tom Donohue, Karen Garbeil,  Robin Garrett, Bobby Harmelin, Karen Hinckley, Sarah Johnston, Tessa Lamont Siegel, Jay and Marya Margolis, Linda McConnell, Karl Middleman, Lynn O’Connor, Bob Plotnick, Ellen Reese, Elaine Stern, John Tobias and Rebecca Wells, Helene Feinberg Walker, Kate Williams

Organizational Supporters in 2014

The organizations that supported us during 2014, our first year in operation were:

Website Domain, Hosting, and Support donated by Jamie Markizon, Lola, and Strategic Marketing LLC

Strategic Marketing LLC is a full-service website design and internet marketing company with expertise focused specifically on professionals with practices. We employ talented and experienced web designers, writers, marketers, and customer service representatives so you can concentrate on your patients while we help to grow your practice.

The Friends of West Mill Creek Park Wildlife and Respite Garden was designed by Cramer Design Associates, which has also donated time and advice to implementation of the garden.

Our Friends of West Mill Creek Park logo design was created by Anna McNeary. Visit her website at www.annamcneary.com

Many thanks to Ricklins Hardware of Narberth.  Ricklins broke down and transported a truckload of cardboard to the park for weed suppression in our Wildlife and Respite Garden, and has also provided advice regarding various other aspects of our projects.

Meet the Trees!!!

Appalachian Spring dogwoodWhen we first began the Wildlife and Respite garden project last year, we offered the chance to dedicate a memorial tree to the first five people who donated $150 to the project.  Each tree will wear a tag with its common and botanical name, plus the name of its designated honoree.  Now the five trees we planted in the Wildlife and Respite Garden last fall have.officially made it through the winter, and our tree tags have arrived!  On Friday, June 5 at 5 pm, Friends of WMC member Helene Feinberg Walker is bringing lemonade and cookies, so be sure to stop by in the Wildlife Garden for refreshments and Meet the Trees!

WMC Garden Work Day

Blue Wood Sedge

Blue Wood Sedge

We’ll be working on planting the remaining 125 Blue Wood Sedge plants–and no toting buckets of water up from Mill Creek this time, the tank will be full!  Bring work gloves and a trowel, come and go as you please.  Water and Kind bars to fuel your efforts will be provided.

 

Survey Results Are In!

survey clip artThanks to the 23 Friends of WMC members who responded to our survey.  The survey asked our members to rate the importance of various possible and current projects on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most important.  The survey also solicited any and all additional ideas and comments.  We averaged the ranking numbers for each project, and the results are:

  • Number one on the charts is trail improvement, which earned a solid “5” on our scale.
  • Tied for next in importance to our members were the Wildlife and Respite Garden, and improvements to the parking lot. These projects each earned an average of  “4” from our survey respondents.
  • Additional benches and beach seating stones each received a “3” ranking.

Comments and ideas included on the survey forms were as follows:

  • “More and better walking paths”
  • “Additional trash cans at far end of park or by water”
  • “Fill in and grade mud areas along stream”
  • “Would absolutely prefer more beach stones instead of the white plastic chairs. The wooden walking path at upper end was very well done and very helpful.”
  • “Dog activity equipment?”
  • “Improve drainage so there is less ponding.”
  • “ Improve fence by road to right when you’re facing the respite area. Dogs sometimes get out where the stone wall is low.”
  • “Keep dogs on leash in garden part, shrubs won’t grow with pee. Fabulous job, tremendous achievement of people coming together.”
  • “Dog parties!”
  • “Encourage natural brush/plant growth.”
  • “ Resurface parking lot.”
  • “Daffodils and iris along the creek would be nice. Thanks to the Ellens and others for their leadership and energy.”
  • “Fencing off park entry so dogs don’t wander onto parking lot on their own and unattended. Thanks for all your efforts to improve our habitat!”
  • “Mud remediation!”
  • “I sincerely appreciate all the hard work, time and effort dedicated to this organization. The park looks so much better and the garden is a work of love from so many people”

 

2015 Donations

FOUR PAWS ($150 or more)Thank you clip art CanStock

Anonymous

Ellen Briggs

Fran Bryan

Ellen Reese and Gary Stein

Rebecca Wells
THREE PAWS (100-$149)

Elisa Abeloff and George Landau

Judy and Yair Argon

Mary and Iain Black

Erik Bronstein

Chris and Claire Bunting

John and Jessica Cassimatis

Karen Hinckley

Jay and Marya Margolis

Karl and Dori Middleman

Hazel Murphy

Craig Oliner

David  Preefer and Karen Zimmerman

Eileen Rosenau

Elaine Stern
TWO PAWS ($50-$99)

Janice Asher

Jill Cooper

Kristin and Scott Edwards

Bobby and Randi Harmelin

Michael and Selina  Hoessly

Beverly Keefer

Karyn Lush

Narberth Area Garden Club

Cary Sellers

Mark Singer and Barbara Podell

Jood Thompson
ONE PAW (up to $49)

Matthew and Heather Cosgrave

Karen Garbeil

Maddy and Steve Kessler

Martha Lombardo

Jeff Rudnick

Mandy Steier

Helene Feinberg Walker

Karen and Rick Wilson

Flaura Winston

Many thanks for all of your generous donations!

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Friends of West Mill Creek Park wouldn’t exist without the generous support of our work day volunteers, organizational friends, and the donations of our Contributing Members–as well as all of you who have donated their special expertise to help us on our way.  Thanks one and all!

2014 Volunteers

May 2014 --Hazel and Jill take a well-earned break

May 2014 –Hazel and Jill take a well-earned break

During 2014, we held 18 volunteer work days with 158 work hours donated by 18 volunteers:

Dan Barry, Ellen Briggs, Paula Burns, Chris Bushnell , Jill Cooper, David Dutwin , Aidan Dutwin, Elias Dutwin, Mary Field, Karen Garbeil, Karen Hinckley, Maddie Kessler, Tessa Lamont, Martha Lombardo , Debby Merker, Hazel Murphy, Ellen Reese, and Toba Spector.

This intrepid band removed rocks and invasive vine roots, weeded, mulched with cardboard and shredded bark to suppress future weeds, created a log-and-woodchip garden path, dug a berm and swale to control water runoff, built a compost bin (by Chris Bushnell), and planted 5 trees and 48 native wildlife-friendly shrubs.

Pranav Pillai of Narberth Troop 176 et al.  with benches and table he built

Pranav Pillai of Narberth Troop 176 et al. with benches and table he built

In addition, the Boy Scouts designed, built and donated 4 beautiful benches and a table to grace our park.  Thanks to Pranav Pillai, Eagle Scout candidate, and his troop for their fabulous project!

And thanks to one and all!