Gowanda PennySaver / September 24, 2000

Chang-Hu Park shaping up beautifully

Editor:
     The spirit of cooperation, collaboration and volunteerism is alive and well in Gowanda! Many dedicated people have been hard at work within the past two months, as the gardens at Chang-Hu Park take form.
     This effort is largely based on donations of time, labor, plants, sweat and enthusiasm. Our donated materials and labor are matched 50 percent by a grant from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. However, no one can match the energy of our volunteers in action.
     This energy was very apparent during the preparation of the gardens on Sept. 16, as volunteers logged 72.5 man-hours of hard, back-breaking work in removing the sod off our future flower beds, and rototilling and preparing the soil for planting. Teachers from GCS, Gowanda Garden Club members, Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, and community-minded residents worked to create the beauty that will await us springtime as the flowers emerge. Despite the aches and pains, we shared the joy of making a difference in our community. As one volunteer so aptly put it, "I just want the park to look better when I leave, than when I came." And it did!
     Volunteers included Carol Ognen, Cheryl Chase, John and Sue Torrance, John Pierce, Penny Wesley, Diana Palcic, Jan Samarra, Andy Burr, Terry Bley, Annette, Dylan and Megan Mayer, Mark Nephew, Dan Stang, with moral support from Ruth Bury, Mary Schaack, Alice Tschopp and Ruby Kempf.
     "Doc" and Jeanette Deneen's donation made moving the gazebo possible, and this beautiful structure is the focal point of the gardens. The donations made to the "Living Memorials Fund" will fund the planting of trees in memory of friends and families in Gowanda, and the Chang-Hu Park Restoration Fund has allowed us to proceed with the park development.
     Business partners also contributed to this effort, with donations of materials and support: Jim Fort, Barry Hager, Kevin McCormack, Darlene Sinn and Cheryl Chase. The Free Methodist Church and the Gowanda United Methodist Church allowed us the use of electricity during the construction.
     Randy Wing, Kevin Broyles, Ken Fisher, Chet Emery, Bob Hartloff, Dan Stang, Bill Hickok, Matt Tartick and Matt Smuda of "The Finishing Touch Landscaping" performed construction and landscape work at the park.
     The Village of Gowanda highway department, water department, and the sewer department are always ready, willing and able to help in any way they can.
     This project will be ongoing, as the gardens and donated trees are planted. Volunteers began planting the formal gardens with period perennials on Saturday (Sept.23) and will continue for the next few weeks. Our donated benches will be placed for visitors.
     We hope to add electricity, lighting, and a flag pole this fall. The arbors on the gazebo will be constructed to support flowering vines.
     Chang-Hu Park is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through cooperation, civic pride, the generosity and involvement of all sectors of the community, and the shared vision of Doctor Chang and Doctor Hu of a beautiful park and garden for all to enjoy.
     It is our hope as the temporary stewards of Gowanda, that future generations will benefit from our efforts to leave Gowanda better than when we came. Our actions today will shape the future of Gowanda.

Barbara Nephew, trustee
Chang-Hu Park Community
Advisory Committee liaison