News from Lendonwood Gardens
1308 West 13th Street (Har-Ber Road), Grove, Oklahoma 74344
918-786-2938
December 7, 2009 – LENDONWOOD IMPROVES HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
Contact: Jim Corbridge, 918-786-8375, or Pauline Hale, 918-786-8375
Thanks to donated materials and labor, Lendonwood Gardens has a new paved walkway at its front entrance, allowing greater accessibility for people with disabilities and adding a more welcoming entry to the botanical garden in Grove. The project was completed on Friday, December 4, with the help of volunteers from Lendonwood and the donor companies.
The pathway was built with concrete pavers and polymeric sand donated by Lowe’s of Grove and the Oldcastle company of Kansas City and Bonner Springs, Kansas. Polymeric sand forms a hard crust when moisture is applied, helping stabilize the pavers. Ivan Devitt, Sr., manager of Lowe’s of Grove, and Ronnie James, representative of Oldcastle, were on hand to help with the project. Volunteers Jim Reynolds of Grove and Roger Endo of Monkey Island, both members of the Lendonwood Board of Directors, led the group effort.
Other key volunteers were Cindy Reynolds of Grove, Janice Endo of Monkey Island, Danny Murphy of Grove, Bob Hunt of Grove, Jim Corbridge of Grove, Josh McElhaney of Vinita, Al Scarriot of Grove and Jay Spicer of Grove.
Four pallets of pavers and several containers of polymeric sand were delivered in time for the work day. Volunteers, including Cindy Reynolds, former president of Lendonwood, and Danny Murphy and Al Scarriot, carried the pavers to workers installing the pathway. A tasty lunch was provided by Janice Endo.
Josh McElhaney, a volunteer and Lowe’s employee, said the project was dear to his heart. “Last year, I was married in Lendonwood Gardens and one of my wife’s relatives had a hard time entering the garden. I really appreciate this effort to improve accessibility.”
Jim Corbridge, president of Lendonwood, said, “For me, this has been one of the most gratifying projects at Lendonwood. In one day’s time, plus lots of preparation and hard work, the garden became more accessible and more inviting. We couldn’t have done it without all the volunteer labor and materials.”
Corbridge said Lendonwood is fortunate to have talented and skilled volunteers who are so dedicated to the garden.
Lendonwood is a six-acre public botanical garden located at 1308 West 13th Street (Har-Ber Road) in Grove. Major collections include azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maple trees, hostas, daylilies and conifers. The garden is open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Lendonwood, one of 14 botanical gardens in Oklahoma, is a not-for-profit organization supported by donations and volunteers.