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McKenna Park Bamforth Memorial Project In remembrance of Betty Bamforth |
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Above: Dutchman's Britches in the spring
of 2004
Below: Shrubs/trees ready to be planted in spring 2004 |
The Village of Shorewood Hills is beautifying McKenna Park by planting a vast array of native trees, shrubs, woodland wildflowers, grasses, ferns, and spring ephemerals. A boulder and plaque will also be added to the park near the upper trail leading down to the Lake and a spectacular view. This project was possible due to a generous donation in memory of Betty Bamforth, a late resident of Shorewood Hills. The sister of Betty (Jean Bamforth) is responsible for the donation. Betty Bamforth was an avid gardener in the Village and she had a passion for sailing and other water activities making McKenna Park a perfect choice for this project. Betty was the Commodore of the Mendota Yacht Club in 1968 and the first woman to ever hold that title. She was skipper of a boat named "SCARAB" and she was the winner of a Sears Cup Race. |
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Vegetation planted in the park
this year includes
the following: Nannyberry Viburnum, Highbush Cranberry, Pagoda Dogwood, Witch Hazel, Sugar Maple, Musclewood, American Hazelnut, Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle, Yellow Birch, Black Chokeberry, Redoiser Dogwood, Juneberry, Serviceberry, Bottlebrush Grass, Silky Wild Rye, Virginia Wild Rye, Sprengel's Sedge, Jacob's Ladder, Elmleaf Goldenrod, Browneyed Susan, Wild Columbine, Woodland Sunflower, Joe-Pye Weed, Golden Alexander, Wild Geranium, Tall Bellflower, Ostrich Fern, Sensitive Fern, Showy Royal Fern, Cinnamon Fern, and Tassel Fern.. |
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Goals: To
enhance the mesic woodland by adding species of trees, shrubs, grasses,
ferns, and forbs of native origin. At
the same time the plantings should bring immediate visual delight to the
park and its users. |
| Above: 2004 Assistant Forester
(Alec Hamilton) planting a pagoda dogwood. |
Below: Trail leading from Lake Mendota Drive to the Lake Lookout area. Goal is to enhance the trail walk with more woodland flowers and wildlife shrubs. |
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| Above: Apple Serviceberry shrubs blooming right after planting in the spring of 2004 (near the bridge and McKenna Park sign. | |
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It is at the start of this trail where the memorial boulder for Betty has been placed. There were many flowers and shrubs planted near the bridge and by the McKenna Park sign off Lake Mendota Drive to mark the path's entryway. Improvements have been made in the wooded area that surrounds the path to the lake view patio. Invasive shrubs, such as buckthorn and non-native honeysuckle, were removed. Selective tree removal (invasive or non-native) served to open up some of the canopy, allowing more light to reach the native plants at ground level. In this area a wood-chipped trail is also under construction so that residents may enjoy the woods. In the future, a number of benches surrounded by a wild flower garden are envisioned to brighten the wooded area. |
| Above: Lookout area near lake with a new
flower bed (2004)
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During the month of August, 250 ferns (5 species) were planted along the road leading down to the boat house. The bulk of the ferns were planted around a bench leading to the lake in order to make the area more inviting to sit. The ferns varieties included Ostrich, Cinnamon, Sensitive, Showy Royal, and Tassel.. The smaller ferns will grow to be about one and a half feet in height, while the larger ferns can reach heights from two to five feet. The Tassel ferns are evergreens, which will bring a touch of green to McKenna Park during the winter months. In addition to visual enhancements the ferns will help to stabilize the soil and prevent the hillsides from washing out during heavy rains. |
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 Right:Tassel ferns |
