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TextVolunteers with Green Thumbs Use Their Fridays to Beautify Kings Park Library
For almost 20 years, a loyal cadre of Braddock residents have worked
tirelessly to improve and enhance the outside environment at the Kings
Park Library. These volunteers are members of the Friends of the Library,
and its coordinator, Norene Gerstner, serves as the Friends’ Garden
Chair. Gerstner, who has been planting, pruning, weeding and mulching at
the library for 14 years, is a Master Gardener and hosts a free weekly
plant clinic from 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays at the Library between May
and September.
What even the casual visitor can see emerging at the library in recent
years is a series of a drought tolerant, perennial and diverse gardens
areas. A guiding principal for the group is to assure that the “right”
plant finds the “right” location. The library grounds are designated a
“waystation” for monarchs, which have both milkweed plants for the
caterpillars and nectar plants for the butterflies.
Norene has also supervised 26 Eagle Scout projects at Kings Park
Library. The most recent one - the restoration of a native garden in the
northwest corner of the library - took place this past summer. More than
100 hours of labor were performed by Eagle Scout candidate Andy Russell
and his team to complete the project.
In addition to garden work, these volunteers spend time cleaning up the
pervasive litter—cigarette butts, gum, fast food trash--left on the
grounds by patrons. The volunteers would appreciate the public’s help in
keeping the library grounds litter free.
The group’s most active volunteers in recent years, include Irene
Powers, Judy Nitsche, Linda Wirth, Carol Owen, Beverly Horton, Beverly
Wright, Daniel McGuire and Sandi and Bruce Wallachy. Braddock District
owes them a debt of gratitude. If you do not have the time to volunteer,
a donation to assist with the purchase of plants and other materials can
be made to the Friends of the Kings Park Library.
If you are an avid gardener, or just have an interest in learning, get
engaged and join this dedicated group. Head Librarian Linda Masnik notes:
“Among the highlights of visiting the Kings Park Library is our inviting
outdoor space. Our customers and staff have enjoyed the gardens and
natural beauty for many years. We have even brought the outside in,
displaying photographs of the gardens in the library.”
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