Community club anticipates busy park season

Morgan's Grove Park is currently covered with snow; however, community club members are looking ahead to spring events at the popular gathering place. Toni Milbourne
SHEPHERDSTOWN — As snow lays heavy on the fields of Morgan’s Grove Park, members of the Shepherdstown Community Club are looking ahead to warmer days when the park will be a hub of activity.
Several events have already made their way onto the club’s calendar, involving brightening up the park, as well as community activities.
According to SCC President Jennifer Wabnitz, on March 24 and 31, she will be joined by some local Girl Scouts to plant a filter garden — a garden of plants and shrubs that will catch the toxic run off from the parking lot, to prevent it from running into the stream.
“It won’t capture all the oil and gas drops, but it will help,” Wabnitz said, mentioning that, at the same time, the project will allow the Girl Scouts to earn a badge while beautifying a corner of the park.
During the same time frame in early spring, the club will host what has become an annual cleanup day at the park. Volunteers are encouraged to save the date of March 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to help clean up the park. Members of the Shepherdstown Rotary Club have already committed to joining the efforts; however, more hands will help make the work more efficient.
“We will be power washing the play structure, adding mulch, weeding the flower boxes, adding sand to the volleyball court and so much more,” Wabnitz said, mentioning the park benefits every year from the community’s help each spring with preparing the park for the summer.
An unveiling of the new park sign at the railroad crossing will take place on April 3 at noon. The crossing will be named in memory of Henry Willard, who gave a donation to the club.
“The sign is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to Henry for his generous donation,” Wabnitz said. “He loved to watch the trains, as do many little children in the park.”
The official opening of the park will coincide with the April 3 ceremony.
Looking ahead for the warm summer months, SCC organizers plan to offer movie nights in the park, which will kick off each time with local bands providing concerts prior to the movie time. Currently, there is no plan to charge admission for the movie night. Concessions will be offered at a minimal cost at the events, and donations are always welcome.
The first movie is set for May 1, featuring “McFarland, USA.”
For more information on park events, visit the SCC website or Facebook page.