From Janet Bernstein of Friends of Overington Park:
Friends of Overington Park will host it’s Second Annual ‘Art Under the Trees’ event on Saturday September 17th from 12 to 3pm. There will be a children’s Chalk Art Contest, with prizes, Tree Identifying and Mapping for kids and adults who want to join in, Leaf related art projects and games, and refreshments! Please come out and join in the fun! The park is looking great this summer so there is lots of inspiration to get your artistic juices flowing. We found out over this summer that our trees date back to the Civil War era. We need to get them on the map. Can you guess what tree stood watch during 1861? Come out and find the answers. Hope to see you there!
Unusual pleasure on Saturday to be able to attend two great events in Frankford. Below is a short video of the happening in Overington Park. Many people would find it hard to believe we were in Frankford. The Friends of Overington Park and the people throughout Frankford who are doing similar things are the ones who are rebuilding this community. Have a look. Wednesday we’ll report on the other big event that took place last Saturday.
The Friends of Overington Park invite you to meet with Dr. David Hewitt on June 13th at 2:30 PM in Overington Park ( Leiper & Orthodox Streets.. 1300 block of Orthodox St).
Dr Hewitt is a Botanist at the Academy of Natural Sciences here in Philadelphia. His interests include urban and suburban ecology, especially in eastern North America.
He will help us to establish the age of the magnificent Copper Beech that is in our Park. We look forward to hearing a short overview of the natural history of the area, as well as identifying other older trees. Have you ever wondered what the landscape looked like when settlers moved out from Philadelphia? This discussion could clarify some of those questions. Light refreshments to follow the park walk-about.
The Friends of Overington Park are holding a Meet and Greet event in Overington Park on Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 12 pm to 4pm, to bring people together that volunteer in Frankford’s Parks and public green spaces.
We are trying to bring together all the good people who green Frankford, so that we can share our success and challenges, talk about what works and share ideas about our public spaces. We also want to have some fun! We will be holding a Salsa contest, the food not the dance, with a trophy for first place. There will be Live Music and food! We are having a Pot-Luck Picnic; We will provide hot dogs, water ice and soft pretzels, and tables and chairs. You can bring whatever you would like to share, or just bring yourself! We are hoping you can make it. If you know of anyone else who is interested in greening Frankford please ask them to join us, the more the merrier.
The rain fell 10 minutes after we finished. Somebody up there likes Overington Park. We mulched our 15 new trees, planted 71 donated plants and shrubs, 4 crates of cannas bulbs, and 50 packs of seed. We planted 3 new beds that we turned in April. A 50′ bed connecting two established beds along the Orthodox Street wall, a shade bed by the Pilling Street steps, and the square bed by the play equipment. Also a small Ginkgo tree was planted. Our morning began with delicious baked goods made by our Friends group, and ended with warm soft pretzels. We laid out our plants by sun and shade and got under way planting. Once again we couldn’t have gotten it all done without the great help of Frankford High’s ROTC. Those kids shoveled a mountain of mulch and asked for more work, they are an invaluable resource.
Our Frankford Garden Club showed up in force. Friends of Overington Park count on them and they never let us down. Digging in wherever there was a need. Talking with our other volunteers, sharing their vast knowledge, and planting. More neighbors from around the park joined us for the planting, this community of good people filling the park with positive work was very up lifting. Everyone’s hard work is making the park a beautiful place for all to share. As the season unfolds, the flowers should fill the park and let everyone know that Overington Park is a magical place protected and nourished by a great group of people who care.
Thanks for all of your hard work, Diane Kunze, Friend of Overington Park
From Janet Bernstein of Friends of Overington Park:
