May Greene Garden now provides map for passers-by

A newly acquired street map of the city of Cape Girardeau, courtesy of the May Greene Garden Association, is now posted at the back wall of the garden at the intersection of Fountain and Themis streets, behind the present Federal Building.

The garden was once part of May Greene's homestead, for whom the Cape Girardeau elementary school was named. She taught in the area for more than half a century. Greene's death in 1948 bequeathed the land to her half-sister until she died in 1963 and the property was auctioned to the highest bidder.

Barbara Port, co-president of the May Greene Garden Association, believes the pretty garden spot is now offering a community service to visitors who get turned around. She said that when she and her husband, Bill, are working in the garden, at least one person will stop and ask for directions. The laminated map helps visitors get their bearings, with the garden's location marked in red.

The garden offers respite for passers-by and area employees. "Sunday school classes and the Neighborhood Association use it for meetings. We want the park to be used," said Port.

The Cite de la Rose Garden Club gained permission from the government to restore the garden in 1968. The club folded in 1980 and a few members carried on alone for three years until their resources were exhausted.

In 1988 the May Greene Garden Association drew up a needs list and launched fund raisers.

Since then the garden association has replaced the chat walk with brick, and a roofed kiosk with information on the garden's history was erected by Eagle Scout Eric Vogt and was later refurbished by Scott Anderson, Southeast Missourian graphic designer.

Jim Logan and his wife Rosemary have been garden association members since the early 1990s. Logan served on the park board in 1988 when the threat of paving over the garden was an issue. He's seen the park through many decades and said that the group hasn't been successful in getting young people to join. "I don't know how we're going to keep it going," he said.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133