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Copyright 2010 Marathon Garden Center |
Come grow with us . . .
Community Projects
One of the many accomplishments of the MGC during their 2008/09 season was
the beautification of picnic areas along US1 in front of the Marathon
airport.
Four locations were originally established during the 1960’s as
a “park” by Monroe County officials with assistance from garden club members
& are maintained by the grounds staff at the airport. Due to the community’s
increasing interest in expanding use of the airport in an effort to bring people
to the Keys & the garden club’s involvement on the City of Marathon
Beautification Board, garden club members, affectionately called the “groomers
& grunts”, agreed to take on the task of cleaning up these areas.
The
project commenced on a Thursday morning in April 2008 with area #1 which is the
one furthest south. A memorial plaque to Patricia Ann Smith was discovered on
the property & research done by Linnea Cunningham resulted in contact with a
relative who still resides in Marathon & was able to provide us with the
history behind this memorial as well as make a donation to the
project.
The second area, progressing north, was tackled in February
2009. The garden club installed a bronze plaque in honor of club member Ruth
Bragen’s 100th birthday! Ruth has been an active member of the Marathon Garden
Club since 1971, MGC President from 1973-1975 & a life member of the Florida
Federation of Garden Clubs. Her 100th birthday party was held at the garden
center!
Areas #3 & #4 were completed in April 2009 marking the
successful completion of a year long project! To our pleasant surprise we
discovered a variety of wildflowers still blooming in these areas, perhaps
planted there by our predecessors!
As we walk, bike or drive by these
areas now we often notice people stopping to enjoy the respite of a picnic table
beneath a shade tree along the scenic corridor of US1.
Welcome to
Marathon…compliments of the Marathon Garden Club!
lnk