The Friends of Buttonwood Park

The steps leading up to the devel-

opment of a Master Plan for the

Nature Trails—with cost esti-

mates and project goals—will be a

team process, according to Boston

Landscape Architect, Ray Dunetz,

guest speaker at the 29th Annual

Meeting held at the Lawler Library

in May.

Mr. Dunetz and City Arborist,

Chance Perks, will look over the

existing trees, (city will handle the

survey) and work with the Conser-

vation Commission. LEC Environ-

mental Consultants will rid the

area of invasive plants. A site analysis will determine how people walk around

the park and the location of scenic views, wetlands, and the placement of raised

pedestrian walkways and picnic areas.

There will be time for input and inspirational ideas to help reclaim 18 addi-

tional acres of parkland as useable space and a nature lover’s dream.

For more information on this project,

follow us on Facebook or email friends@buttonwoodpark.org

You can also visit our website buttonwoodpark.org or drop us a line at

P. O. Box 2011, New Bedford MA 02741 to make a donation.

THE BUTTONWOOD MESSENGER Summer 2015

Protect, Preserve, and Renew in the Spirit of Frederick Law Olmsted N A T U R E T R A I L S P R E S E N TA T I O N E N E R G I Z E S F R I E N D S A T A N N UA L M E E T I N G

Landscape Architect, Ray Dunetz,

and moderator, Jean Bennett, Address

Friends and Park Neighbors

“The Nature Trails Project—the next phase of our ‘Buttonwood on the Move’

campaign to encourage exercise and promote well being in young and old

alike—will not happen overnight…but together we can get it done!

You are the reason we have such a wonderful Park…together we have

worked small and big miracles.”

—President Anne Eades

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

Youth Corp Helps

Clear Way for Nature

Trails………………... 2

Five New Tree

Plantings……………. 2

Buffer Garden – A

Labor of Love………. 3

City Youth Clean Up

Park Gardens………. 3

Fountain is Relocated to the Dell………….. 3

Lorraine Perry Receives

President’s Award….. 3

Free Movie at Button-wood Park………….. 4

Bread Is Harmful to

Wildfowl…………….. 4

Board of Directors…. 4

Mission Statement….. 4

A group of young people, ages 16-19, from The Trustees of

Reservations South Coast Youth Corp, are helping to clear the

abandoned Tree Farm property on Oneida Street of bittersweet,

knotweed, and other invasive plants that threaten to choke the

life out of the existing trees. We are so grateful for their hard

work as we kick off the 1st phase of our trails project.

Linton Harrington,

the South Coast

Outreach and Edu-

cation Coordina-

tor, says the pro-

gram incorporates

academic work and practical work skills that benefit local com-

munities. At our Annual Meeting, Mr. Harrington noted that The

Trustees of Reservations was founded by Charles Eliot, of

Olmsted, Olmsted, and Eliot, who designed Buttonwood Park.

If you are able to lend a hand to this or any of the maintenance projects in the Park, contact Ray Castino,

Maintenance/Conservation Committee chairman, at friends@buttonwoodpark.org

Page 2

T R U S T E E S O F R E S E R V A T I O N S Y O U T H C O R P H E L P S C L E A R W A Y F O R N A T U R E T R A I L S

F R I E N D S R E P L A C E T R E E S C U T D O W N I N C O N S T R U C T I O N O F N E W B A S K E T B A L L C O U R T S

A total of five new trees have been planted in the area of the

basketball courts, diminishing light pollution and bringing

shade and scenic beauty to the landscape—3 Northern Red

Oaks (Quercus rubra) to the east and 2 ‘Greenspire’ Little-

leaf Linden (Tilia cordata) to the south. They replace trees

cut down during the construction of the new courts last year.

A few of those trees were showing signs of disease.

The native Northern Red Oak adapts so well to urban

settings that it has been called a ‘national treasure.’ It can

reach a height of 60 feet and has a spread of 45 feet at

maturity, making it a great shade tree. Enjoy it in the fall as

it puts on a show of brilliant colors from russet red to a bright red.

‘Greenspire’ Littleleaf Linden is a source of beauty in natural settings with its pyramidal shape and small,

fragrant, yellow flowers that bloom in summer. It grows to 50-60 feet and, with its dense canopy and a spread

of 40-50 feet, also provides abundant shade.

Planting 3 Northern Red Oaks East of Courts

All trees were funded through the Friends’ Commemorative Tree Program.

Memorial trees are a special way to remember a loved one or to honor an important someone in your life.

For more information, please contact Thelma Baxter at friends@buttonwoodpark.org

Youth Corp at Old Tree Farm

Page 3

Buttonwood Brook Buffer Garden

in all its summer glory

Lorraine Perry, longtime board member and ‘gardener extraordinaire,’

was recognized at the Friends’ Annual Meeting in May for her years of

dedication and service beautifying Buttonwood Park.

Anne Eades presented her with the President’s ‘Green Thumb Award.’

Congratulations, Lorraine. It’s a well-deserved honor! Lorraine, left, with Anne Eades

B U T T O N W O O D B R O O K B U F F E R G A R D E N I S A N O N G O I N G L A B O R O F L O V E

Board members, Ray Castino, Thelma Baxter, and Lorraine

Perry, with Friends’ member, Maureen Fanning, have all done a

tremendous job weeding the Buffer Garden this season.

Have you stopped by recently to enjoy this lovely, tranquil spot

that you helped create? It’s hard to believe that 6 years ago this

area, located just west of the greenhouse, was once an inaccessible

wilderness of brush, weeds, and invasive species.

Please consider volunteering or making a donation for the upkeep

of the Buffer Garden and numerous ‘pocket gardens’ in the Park.

Your support is needed to fulfill our mission of stewardship!

Thank you!

A young work crew

from the City with

supervisor, Jess

Brigoli, helped Ray

Castino and Friends

clean up the Lilac

Garden in prepara-

tion for mulching and edging. They will also be

working in other areas of the Park this summer.

We are grateful to

our friends at the

Department of Pub-

lic Infrastructure for

moving the fountain

back to its home in

the Dell.

Future plantings

will restore this

lovely area as a

favorite spot for

taking pictures.

The Friends of Buttonwood Park is an all-volunteer 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1986

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Anne Eades

President

Ray Castino

Vice-President

Sharon Pinho

Recording Secretary

Laura McLeod

Treasurer

Lydia King

Corresponding Secretary

Sus a n B ar ne t

T he l ma B ax te r

J a me s B e a ureg a r d

J e a n B e nne t t

Sy lv i a D a ley

Fr a nk F ar r e l l

Lo u i s Ga r i bal di

Sus a n G r a ce

A ndre a H a r r i s o n

G er ry K a v a na ug h

Ri c ha r d L e a ry

Di a nne L og a n

She r ry M cTig ue

F l or e nc e N o v ic k

Lo r r ai ne Pe r ry

Al i c i a P i me nt a l

G R E A T P A R K S M A K E G R E A T C I T I E S M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

It is the mission of The Friends of Buttonwood

Park to serve as stewards of the park. In this ca-

pacity, we will protect and enhance Buttonwood

Park in the spirit of Frederick Law Olmsted.

Here the New Bedford community may find pre-

mier horticultural and zoological displays and en-

joy both passive and active recreation, relaxation,

and escape from the stresses of urban life.

SAVE THE DATE!

Did you miss the first two show-

ings of ‘Pictures in the Park’?

You’ll have another opportunity

on Friday, September 11th, when

‘Back to the Future’ will be

shown at 7:00 P. M.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and

enjoy the FREE movie in a lovely

outdoor setting. Young and old enjoy the movie on a

beautiful summer evening

For more information go to:

https://www.facebook.com/ButtonwoodMovies