Volunteers from Dover Main Street, Strafford County Master Gardeners, and the Dover High School Women’s Soccer Team spent Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 removing trees, bushes, and junipers to clear the way for the Joe B. Parks Public Garden at the Cocheco Central Avenue Bridge. A new granite walkway will replace the footpath eroded by the past two years of flooding. The project is revitalizing the neglected area by removing the invasive, overgrown species to be replaced with hybrid rhododendrons.

The garden is being named after Mr. Parks, a local philanthropist who has participated in many local initiatives including the Garrison Hill Project and the Adult Learning Center Fund Drive at the McConnell Center. His six-acre garden, where he has developed over 22 hybrid varieties of rhododendrons, has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution. He also served as president of the Massachusetts Rhododendron Society.

The project is being sponsored through the Dover Rotary Club, which has named him as a Paul Harris Fellow for his inspirational contributions to the community. He has donated plant materials to transform the area into a unique specimen garden in the center of downtown Dover.

The project is expected to cost over $50,000, including contributions from the Rotary Club of Dover NH, Strafford County Master Gardener (SCMG) Grant Program, Dave Bedard- Strafford County Prison Intervention Program, Tim Noonan Construction, Dr. Deb & Dr. Peg –Wellspring Network Chiropractic, Bob Steele, Lindt Chocolate, Jack Buckley- Dover Housing Authority, Jim Verschueren- Dover Adult Learning Center, Guy Marshall, Dover Firefighters, Robert J. McCabe, Jr., Dover City Council, PSNH, Alan Crowell-SUR Construction, Krista Hoppe- Linewebber & Giffin Insurance, Carol Smack- Barrington resident- SCMG, Dover High School Girls Soccer Team, Moe’s of Dover, Peter Widmark, Noreen Gaetjens- Lee resident- SCMG, Jim Berry- Rollinsford resident- SCMG, Dover City Manager, Mike Joyal, Donna & Phil Rinaldi- Dover Secretarial Services, Dover Chamber of Commerce, Karen Drapaniotis- Brentwood resident Dover Main Street Beautification Team, Mary-Lou Carpenter- Durham resident- SCMG, Lonza Biologics, Jewelry Creations, Dr. Ron Henderson DDS, Mike Spinelli- Spinelli Cinemas, Attorney Tom Dunnington, Dover Main Street Program Beautification Committee, Hanna Jacoby- Dover resident, Dover Community Services: Paul Talon/Dave Trudell & their hardworking crews, Rolling Green Nursery-Greenland NH, Tony McManus, Stephen Roy, and the Fosters Daily Democrat.


Joe Parks Garden Photo Gallery
Joe Parks Steering Committee and Supporters