A dedication ceremony was held Aug. 30 at the site of The ''Plant''iful Garden, designed and created by McDonald Girl Scout Troop 344.
The troop recently completed the community service project after receiving a competitive grant from the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation in support of The People's Garden Project.
The scouts worked on the garden project over the summer, including designing, planning, implementing and maintaining the project from start to finish. The project enabled the scouts to partner with village leadership, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, residents of the Woodland Park Apartments, and troop families to create a wildlife garden for the enjoyment of residents.
Article Photos
A dedication ceremony was held last month for the “Plant’’iful Garden Project, a service project completed by members of McDonald Girl Scout Troop 344. PIctured, front row, from left, are Kamryn Ross, Abriella Gillespie, Isabella Wolford, Nevaeha Carkido, Lucia Wolford, Grace Kawecki, Megan Ward, Cailey Titus and Rachel Ward. Second row, from left, are Assistant Troop Leader Lori Gillespie, Maley Worrell, Liberty Merrill of YNDC, Senator Capri Cafaro, Councilman Marty Puckett, Representative Sean O’Brien, Mayor Glenn Holmes, Carol Holmes, Pastor Carla Davies of Woodland Park UMC, Mark Callion of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan’s Office, Troop Leader Candice Ward and Assistant Troop Leader Patti Worrell.
Officials who attended the ceremony included special guests Mark Callion from the office of U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, Ohio Sen. Capri Cafaro, U.S.?Rep. Sean O'Brien, McDonald Mayor and Mrs. Glenn Holmes, Liberty Merrill of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, McDonald Councilman Marty Puckett, and Pastor Carla Davies of Woodland Park United Methodist Church.
During the ceremony, Troop Leader Candice Ward gave an overview of the project and thanked all participants, government officials and special guests for attending. Helping with the organization are Assistant Leaders Lori Gillespie and Patti Worrell.
Callion presented each scout with a certificate of recognition for her contribution to the project and community, and each girl was congratulated by the special guests. Family, friends and community residents also were in attendance for the celebration. Mayor Holmes cut the ribbon to officially open the garden. Residents of the Woodland Park Apartments will be able to plant vegetables, flowers and other vegetation in the raised planter tables and the scouts will continue to maintain the garden.
In addition to the garden, the scouts also constructed the bird houses and bench, prepped the bird house poles, assembled the planter tables, planted the flowers, and did some overall landscaping with soil and mulch. They also learned about the various bird species for which the houses were specifically built and identified the plants purchased for the wildlife habitat.