NEILBURG – There is a hidden gem in the Village of Neilburg where folks of all ages are welcome to take in the breathtaking view of the Village Green Park.
In 1991, the green space was initially clumps of bushes, old machinery, garbage and outbuildings that had been left to rot, but a small group of nine women could see the potential. Linda Walde was one of those nine and continues to pitch in to keep the space fresh and renewed.
“We got to work by clearing and removing all the bushes and trash. We levelled the area, created a drainage ditch, installed a paved sidewalk, built a gazebo, installed mercury vapour night lights, and raked and planted a lot of grass by hand,” said Walde.
The group also purchased and planted trees, shrubs and perennials around the grounds and started catering various functions to fund the park and its maintenance. The park is approximately the size of four city blocks.
Walde continued to look after the park as her home backs on to the park, so she was able to just skip out the door and do a few things each day. Along with the park, Walde has found time over the past 30 years to look after areas around town that needed attention.
“I have helped look after vacant lots and keeping all curbs weed free ensuring that our community was neat and presentable,” said Walde. With a lot of physical effort and time, she estimates she has put in approximately 300 volunteer hours every year, from April to October.
Walde said two years ago she needed a new backpack sprayer, her third in 30 years, and took this as a sign to retire. Even with the help from the village office with mowing the park, no one has stepped up to continue the work Walde has started.
“I have fertilized the spruce trees three times a year, kept the sidewalk free from encroaching grass, fixed the gazebo and shed, looked after the health and well-being of all the trees and shrubs, doctoring them as necessary. Keeping the weeds at bay within the tree rows, perennial beds and around the gazebo was a huge job but she was extremely proud of having a weed-free park for decades.
While Walde looks after the Village Green Park, another woman is widely recognized for her contributions to other areas where one can stop and admire the floral beauty. Jacquie Goodall has been looking after the flower beds at the Neilburg Bowling Alley, the United Church and the Senior Complex as well as the entire Legion Park.
Many times, Jacquie will spend her own money purchasing the flowers for these flower beds. She can often be found weeding, hauling water and trimming trees. Her lifetime of knowledge manages to keep these public places looking wonderful all summer long.
“She hauls water in her wagon to give the thirsty plants a drink. You can see her pulling her loaded wagon all over town and claims all that exercise helps keep her young at heart and healthy,” said Walde.
Goodall said she enjoys this type of work, and her love of flowers is evident in the creation of all the above green spaces. Since moving to the community, Goodall has fallen in love with Neilburg and its people and says that this is her contribution to the town.
