April, 2013
To Friends of Waterford Park members:
This is the eighth renewal letter for our group. When we started in 2005, we had no idea how long we would exist or what we might accomplish. Amazingly, we are still going strong. Some of our stalwart volunteers from the early years have moved, started families, or gone on to other interests, but some are still staunch supporters and/or worker bees, and new people have moved to the area who are equally as dedicated to the mission of the group.
We have had the good fortune to benefit from many groups who want to do park work: Troop 799 and the City’s Summerserv program, for example, have given us many hours of service for multiple years. This Spring we have groups returning from the Mount St. Mary’s University Rugby Clubs and from Wells Fargo Bank. We also have had the ongoing support of the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, Friends of Baker Park (our fiscal agent) and the City of Frederick.
We participate in the MD PLANT program (People Loving and Nurturing Trees), a MD Forest Service program. They recognize participation with three levels of awards; Silver (which we received for our 2005 work), Gold (received 2006-2012) and Green (received 2013). I never expected us to reach the green level. You will understand why when you read the criteria for that level:
The GREEN AWARD is a green-colored date plate for display on the wooden PLANT plaque. Although simple in form, it represents the highest PLANT honor to recognize a community that has developed a well-established urban forestry program. This coveted award is reserved for programs that are funded, fully functional and staffed by qualified professionals (including volunteer assistance). Communities that are recipients of the federally awarded Tree City USA status automatically qualify for PLANT’s Green Award.
Our recognition by the MD Forest Service is a tribute to the thousands of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars donated by members. Through the PLANT program we have received several grants for trees and shrubs, but it is the member support that enables us to have essential grant matching funds and to purchase the fencing, the park signage, the trailer, additional plants (including wildflowers) and other supplies. We display our PLANT plaque in the window of the shed in the park.
We are also gaining wider recognition by participating for the second time in MD Public Television’s celebration of volunteers who work to help the Chesapeake Bay. The filming of the show is scheduled for April 14, 2013, with the date for broadcast to be announced. We are one of the groups whose comments and pictures will appear in the broadcast.
Here is your 2013 FWP Membership Renewal Form. Please complete the form and mail it in along with your dues. Note that the form contains one new section—a list of proposed officers of the group. We ask you to initial if you support this slate. These people are volunteering to do not only what we really enjoy, working in the park with our hands dirty, but also to do the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the group functioning.
I want to especially recognize Dave Maloney for his expertise and effort in revamping our website and keeping it current. People I meet in the park who are interested in the group often say that they have checked our website, www.friendsofwaterfordpark.org. It is our face to the public, and it benefits us in many ways to have an active, well-designed site.
I encourage you to read three important documents: the Forest Stewardship Plan prepared in 2005 by Mike Kay, DNR Forester at Gambrill Park, the Invasive Alien Plant Management Plan and the Wildlife Management Plan. These are our guiding documents. I will put these online for those on the email list, but if any of you who do not receive our emails want copies, just let me know and we’ll mail them to you.
As always, Thank You for your ongoing support. I hope you enjoy the park. Some of our trees are getting big! We have had a good wet winter so I expect wonderful spring color. Please stop and chat with us if you see us in the park or contact me with any suggestions or questions.
Sincerely,
Ginny Brace, President
Friends of Waterford Park