Shrewsbury park uncovers lost garden for nature lovers

In Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, a nonprofit group called Friends of Prospect Park has been working since 2003 to restore a garden that had been lost to nature. The park is designed for passive recreation, allowing visitors to enjoy its tranquility and natural beauty without the distractions of playgrounds or constructed areas. Bill Davis, the president of the nonprofit, noted that the park was once overgrown, with vegetation reaching well above his shoulders. The group has since planted over 400 plants to reclaim the garden's former glory. The garden was originally created by Gertrude Davis in memory of her late husband, Bill. After her passing, the property was donated to the Grand Lodge of the Masons of Massachusetts, which used it for a retirement and convalescence home. Eventually, the town acquired the property, and the building was demolished, leading to the garden's decline as nature took over. Davis described the garden as once being a 'lost garden' or even a 'secret garden.' The Friends of Prospect Park have been actively working to reveal the garden to the public, organizing events and volunteering their time to landscape the area. To date, they have uncovered about half of the garden, with ongoing efforts to restore the remaining sections. Davis expressed that the work of the Friends will never truly be complete, emphasizing the continuous commitment to maintaining and enhancing the park for future generations. The project not only aims to restore the garden but also to provide a serene space for the community to reconnect with nature.