Volunteers restoring Howard Park

With the approval of the Fairfield Park and Recreation Department, Dave and Sheri Neff hope to restore Howard Park to its former glory.

After researching some of the park?s long history, the Neffs have decided to adopt the park and, among other things, plant period flowers.

?This is just an extension of what?s been done downtown,? Dave Neff said, noting the strides made by the Beautification Commission in the central business district.

?This is an area that used to be the gateway to the city,? he said, explaining a large number of travelers arrived in Fairfield by train at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Depot, and Howard Park was the first thing they saw.

Terry Klein of Oakwood Nursery and Garden Center has drafted a plan for the landscaping. Some of the plantings will include peonies, coneflowers, hostas, lilacs and sunflowers.

The Neffs hope to get some of the planting done this spring. They?re looking to individuals who completed Iowa State University?s Master Gardener Program for some assistance, as the master gardeners are required to complete 40 hours of community service.

The Neffs have already worked with the master gardeners organizing a community garden to transfer sod removed from the garden to the park.

Neff also said they plan to reintroduce a pergola, a structure with posts and latticework for climbing plants, to the garden. Past pictures the Neffs came across revealed one once stood in the park.

Additionally, the Neffs would like to renovate the park?s six lampposts and work with the Kiwanis Club to bring new pieces of playground equipment to the park. The Kiwanis Club has already purchased a stainless steel spiral slide that will be installed in May.

The first step for the Neffs has been to seek approval of their plan from the Fairfield Beautification Commission. Monday, they will seek the approval of the Fairfield Park and Recreation Department Board, although they have been collaborating with park superintendent Pam Craff.

For the complete article, see the Thursday, April 30, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.