After the very dry spell last summer and extreme difficulty keeping the flowers watered in the park, we contacted Priscilla Tyson, councilperson in charge of all things park-related. She put together a grant program for groups needing financial assistance with plantings in public spaces and Goodale Park was one of the $1000 grant recipients. Our $1,000 award enabled the Martha Walker Garden Club to purchase a new watering tank and pump so they can siphon water from the lake to water the plants during dry spells.

The second grant was from Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. They selected five parks nationwide and Goodale Park was one of them. We received a grant of $12,000 for new landscaping around the lake, as well as money for this year's annuals and reseeding of the dog-congregating area. Keep America Beautiful/Keep Columbus Beautiful organized an event in the park on Saturday, May 10 which resulted in over 100 volunteers planting the new lake landscape designed by Greg Krobot, as well as cleaning, planting, and mulching throughout the park The Urban Jazz Group provided background music from the gazebo, Sanese provided refreshments, and speeches were made by Jim Hagedorn, CEO of Scotts; Michael Coleman, mayor of Columbus; Deborah Pryce, congresswoman; Pat Lewis, vice president, Friends of Goodale Park; and Gail Cunningham, Senior VP of Keep America Beautiful.

Goodale Park is a great asset to Victorian Village and the Short North. And it could be even more beautifully manicured if additional volunteers show up for the Saturday morning work parties. The next work parties are scheduled to assure the park looks its best for ComFest and Red White & Boom. So please join us on Saturday June 14 and Saturday June 21 between 9 and Noon. A great way to get fresh air and exercise, meet new neighbors, make Goodale Park even more beautiful...and your help is much needed and appreciated.