T J Martin Park neighbors, with back yards adjacent to the park from Burchell Avenue to Weimar Avenue, woke up to the sounds of chain saws, trucks and heavy equipment at 8:30 am the morning of Thursday, Oct. 8.

After years of allowing the growth of weeds, volunteer tree sprouts, and dense brush build-up, the fence line area was in for a good grooming!  A strike team from Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) brought workers and equipment to clear out the large area that had become a dumping ground for litter, and a nocturnal meeting place for partying. 

The large mountain of mulch, deposited three years ago, was moved to the Fleet St. rose garden where MFPA member, Larry Sasscer, spread it among the roses and native plants to deter weed growth and hold in moisture.  Tree canopies were lifted to provide an easy sight line down the fence line while shrubs were pruned or removed to enhance the area.

The PRNS team worked from 8:30 am to noon clearing out and cleaning up the former nuisance area which had been left to grow wild for the last ten years.  Martin-Fontana Parks Association brought the blighted area to the attention of PRNS, and thanks them for their hard work and effort they made to clean it up.  Now it is once again an area of TJ Martin Park where walkers can enjoy the variety of birds and native plants along the fence line.

*Thanks to our MFPA President, Linda Wilson, for the story and photos