by Jim Flint 

The Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD) preserves and maintains an "emerald necklace" of 16 parks and natural areas for public recreational use, including hiking trails, canoe and boat accesses, wetland walks, and community gardens. Formed in 1972 with a special statute passed by the Vermont Legislature, the original WVPD member towns of Burlington, Colchester, Essex, South Burlington, and Winooski were expanded in 1988 to include Jericho and Williston.
Director Jennifer Ely has guided the Park District since 1980, ensuring that residents and visitors understand the educational, recreational, ecological, and aesthetic value of the Winooski River watershed as a natural refuge for people and wildlife. After 30 years with the Park District, Jennifer will retire on Sept. 30, leaving a lasting legacy of conservation leadership-and a unique spirit of innovation.

To wit, last fall I shared with Jennifer a logistical challenge that faced the Community Teaching Garden at Ethan Allen Homestead. The canopy of an immense box elder adjacent to the garden had grown so rapidly that it adversely shaded several of the vegetable beds. Thinking ahead to spring, I asked Jennifer about having the tree taken down to provide the garden with more sunlight.

Jennifer pondered the situation and came up with an idea to solve the problem and creatively preserve the box elder. Through support from an anonymous donor, the Park District commissioned chainsaw artist Marvin Chamberlin to create a "stump sculpture" with a wildlife montage. After two days of work in June, Marvin's carvings of a moose, bear, lynx, and two snapping turtles emerged from the tree trunk and lower branches.

On July 22, Friends of Burlington Gardens honored Jennifer and Marvin for their creativity and vision at a potluck dinner held in the Community Teaching Garden. Savoring a beautiful summer evening together at the Homestead, we shared a sense of gratitude for the public park land where people grow food and wildlife raise their young.

Adults interested in learning more about the Community Teaching Garden are invited to attend a hands-on class session during September as guests. Classes are geared toward beginning gardeners and are held every Monday and Thursday evening from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. through Sept. 27. For more information, please call Friends of Burlington Gardens at 861-4769, or visit http://www.burlingtongardens.org/.

Until next month, happy gardening!