that can be found within the peaceful landscape of the arboretum. “During the pandemic, for a lot of people, this [has been] their lifeline,” she says. The outdoor space also provides a comfortable setting for safe social interaction. McGee says that she has noticed visitors using the space to safely gather in small groups with friends and family for celebrations that can no longer take place indoors. “I saw a little kid, about three, that was having his birthday,” she says. “The parents had brought in a little tent and hammock… and they had it all set up. There were presents and there were just a few people. It was all done according to the COVID recommendations, and I thought, ‘Wow, that is a major use of the park.’”
education and resources The arboretum is not only open for observation – there also are educational tools and programs provided by Master Gardener volunteers that are available to the public at no cost. And, these services even extend beyond the bounds of the park. “We have pamphlets, and we have the resources of the help desk,” says McGee. “If you have a plant that’s not doing well, you can call the help desk any weekday at 540.341.7950 #1 and they will try to provide you with an answer. They can come and test your soil, or you can do it yourself and bring in a sample at the Extension Office at 24 Pelham Street in Warrenton. We also give guided tours of the arboretum, and we usually have at least one event per year here.” As far as the public is concerned, the educational and recreational opportunities the park provides have proven to be highly valued. “We had one little boy whose father is a professional fundraiser,” says McGee, “and [the father] wanted to instill in the child the idea of giving. The two of them came and presented us with a check. They said that they wanted to do it because the little boy enjoyed coming to the park and playground, and he loved walking around over where the trees are. That’s the kind of feeling we normally get from people.” ❖ To learn more about the Rady Park Arboretum, visit plantsmap.com/ organizations/rady-park-arboretum.
RADY PARK: BEYOND THE ARBORETUM
e ssay: Love Stories at the Park BY NORMA THATCHER
As an avid walker, I spend some part of every day at a local park named Rady. Besides the children’s playground and covered gazebo with picnic benches, there is an oblong paved path around an open grassy area and the baseball field. In addition, there is a dirt path through a garden section alongside a creek. I love watching the foliage of trees and plants change through the seasons. And there is an amazing array of varying tree bark that is lovely in and of itself. So, it’s no surprise that Rady is a draw for nature enthusiasts, walkers and runners, families, couples, and friends. Not only do I walk there daily to exercise the dog and myself, but also to replenish my soul. Because love stories happen all around me. If I visit the park mid-morning, I sometimes see the young father who places his not yet 18-month-old son by a stone bench and then moves 20 or so paces away. The dad says in an excited voice, “Are you ready?! Are you ready?! Get set, go!” And the child wobble-runs as fast as he can move those baby-fat legs toward his daddy who scoops him up into the air as soon as the boy is within catching distance. Is there any sound more joyous than a child’s exuberant laughter? Then dad sets the boy down with an instruction to go back to the starting point. And another round begins. “Are you ready?” Are you ready?” They play this game half a dozen times or so. While the child A dogwood leaf physically tires out, I do not tire of the tree of the of watching them. I told the dad Virginia state flower recently, “This makes my day.” In late afternoon, a man around my age gently leads his wife around the paved path. I don’t know what illness she suffers from, but she doesn’t seem able to participate in the exchange of greetings. His patience in helping her get exercise in the fresh air is as sure a sign of love as I see. In early morning (my most typical time to be at Rady) a group of older gentlemen socially distance themselves around the center of the gazebo in chairs they bring from home. Usually there are four who meet every weekday morning. Grace the beagle and I walk around the outside of their circle so they can give Grace a pat and inquire as to how her squirrel chasing is going. It’s obvious that these men are good friends who honor the commitment to get up and out to visit for an hour. And if I happen to arrive after they’ve dispersed for the day, why, the next morning they tell me they missed us. I feel like an extension of their group. For this reason, I once took the guys some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies. Frank, Milton, Joe, and Bill may not say they love each other, but camaraderie is surely a form of love. So yes, walking in the park is good exercise for the body and immersion in nature is good for the mind. But noticing the love feeds my soul. ❖ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Norma Thatcher makes the world a safer place for audiences by teaching adults to be interesting public speakers. Her first children's picture book, Scooter Takes A Walk, will be published later this spring. You can follow her blog on her website at LiftedUp.us.
{ MARCH 2021 |
WARRENTON LIFESTYLE
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