The Children’s Memorial Garden Rededication Ceremony will be at 10 am at the garden’s new location across from the Noble Park tennis courts. The garden previously was next to the amphitheater; however, the trees were gravely damaged by the 2009 ice storm. Over the past year, the Paducah Civic Beautification Board, the Open Gate Garden Club, the Garden Clubs of Noble Park, and the Parks Services Department have been working to prepare the site and collect donations for the new memorial. A grant in addition to donations from nurseries, individuals, and organizations has helped fund the new memorial.
The Civic Beautification Board created the Children’s Memorial Garden in 1996 by planting 19 white flowering dogwoods in memory of the 19 children killed in the Oklahoma City bombings which occurred April 19, 1995. At this Friday’s rededication ceremony, 19 balloons will be released in memory of the children. Children in attendance will then have the opportunity to help plant trees and perennials. The children also will be writing poems to be submitted for the National Garden Clubs annual poetry contest. The new memorial will have 19 different types of dogwoods that will bloom from early spring through May.
Carolyn Roof who is coordinating the project says, “This garden will be an education tool for students. Plus, the location will be a respite for joggers who are enjoying the outer loop of Noble Park. It will be a quiet place to sit and meditate.”
In addition to the rededication ceremony, the Parks Services Department has helped coordinate numerous children’s activities to celebrate Arbor Day. Artist Lady Van Tiger and McCracken County Extension Office Horticulture Agent Kathy Wimberley will be hosting nature-inspired craft activities. Representatives from the Kentucky Division of Forestry, including Smokey Bear, will be handing out tree seedlings and leading educational discussions. Also, there will be games and planting demonstrations.
For more information about Parks-sponsored activities, visit www.paducahky.gov.
If an organization or individual would like to make a donation to the Children’s Memorial Garden, please contact Carolyn Roof at 270-559-7663 or carolynroof@att.net. Donations would be used to extend the walking path and increase the number of trees.
