SPRUCING UP CAPE'S PARKS

May Greene Garden Association members and volunteers braved the chilly temperatures to clear winter debris and plant new flowers Saturday as part of Friends of the Parks Day.

May Greene Gardens, at Fountain and Themis, was adopted by the association to preserve the history surrounding Miss May Greene, a former Cape Girardeau schoolteacher, and the garden she always maintained.

Aaron Picar, a senior at Central High School, was on hand to help the seasoned workers ready the park for the new season. Rosemary and Joe Logan have been involved with the beautification of the area for the past 10 years.

Marlene Osburn, an association member, said, "We always need workers to help keep the garden up." People interested in volunteering their time or wishing to join the May Green Garden Association may contact treasurer Rosemary Logan at 334-1354.

The group was part of the many Friends of the Parks volunteers who helped clean up the city's parks on Saturday.

Friends of the Parks have been helping to prepare the parks for the summer for the past 14 years.

"This is one of the biggest volunteer events the city has," said Dan Mueser, director of the parks and recreation department. Some years as many as 400 to 500 people have volunteered their time.

Cold temperatures kept attendance lower than usual, but the work managed to be completed. When the skies clear and the temperature warms, the parks will be filled with visitors enjoying the hard work of Saturday's volunteers.

Jackie Todd, a SEMO master gardener, was busy planting flowers at Capaha. Other master gardeners prepared the rose garden for another year.

St. Vincent Girl Scout Troop 3 was back to help again this year.

"I think it's fun to be able to plant flowers with my friends," said Paige Schumer, a troop member.

Brittney Passini said she didn't mind the chilly temperatures. "I have family in Wisconsin so I don't mind the cold," she said.

Digging holes for the flowers and spreading mulch kept Amanda Delgado busy. "I like making our town beautiful," said Delgado.