Volunteers Try To Restore Baltimore Park Dedicated To Mothers
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Taming Mother Nature for mothers. In Baltimore, volunteers are trying to do just that.
Alex DeMetrick reports the project at Mothers' Garden means stepping up as city funds dry up.
It was formally dedicated in 1926, a five- acre park honoring Baltimore's mothers. It was enjoyed for decades.
"My grandmother used to come here and her children, and they have very fond memories of when the park was in good shape," said Courtney Bartlett, Friends of Mothers' Garden.
Getting it back in shape has mostly fallen to volunteers as the city cuts department budgets to fund essential services.
"Gardens like this sometimes you've got to turn your backs on them and focus on some of the other priorities in the city," said Bill Vondrasek, Chief of Parks.
While mayor, the late William Donald Schaefer did restoration work to the park in honor of his mother, some of those touches still bloom. But a bridge no longer crosses a pond, and unearthing stone walkways has been a tough job.
But volunteers and donations are carving out bright spots.
"The more the park can be used, the better," Jim Bartlett said. "So people can come out and support the park, then that will make all of this worthwhile."
"This is the future of garden maintenance in the park," Vondrasek said.
If you're one of a handful of volunteers restoring five acres of parkland, it may seem overwhelming.
"It does, but every little bit gets to our goal of making it a place where people want to come gather," Bartlett said.
To bring in more help and donations for the garden, a public benefit will be held at the park this Saturday, just in time for Mother's Day.
The garden is located in Clifton Park on Harford Road and Erdman Avenue.
