Milford Garden Club beautifies Barckley Park

Recently, twenty members of the Milford Garden Club spent two days completely refurbishing and renovating the landscape at Barckley Park. Originally dedicated to the spirit and memory of Ethly Barckley, the Milford Garden Club partnered with the Borough of Milford in 2019 to transform the broken paved end of Second Street into one of the most visited parks in Milford.

Barckley was a charismatic figure at the turn of the century. She was a professional artist and landscape architect. She began the Village Improvement Association, a group which took responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of public areas in Milford and served as an original member of the Community House Board. She, along with Cornelia Pinchot and five other progressive women, began the Milford Garden Club in 1937.

“She was an extraordinary example of creative feminine energy at the turn of the century. Her focus was on making the world a more beautiful and brighter place to be”, noted Susan Brown, beautification chair. If Facebook postings are any barometer, many a local or seasonal visitor make Barckley Park the backdrop for their photos.

Regular visits by members noted that past intense winters have weathered and, some cases, destroyed the original plantings. A generous grant from the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau along with funding and “sweat equity” from the Milford Garden Club made this transformation possible. The planning team included: Susan Brown, Maria Longano, Mary Sorrell, Mary Ciccolella, Anya Kressel, Patti McEnerney.

New designs included: Shasta Daisy, Stella Supreme and South Seas Daylily, Cardinal Flower, Soulmate Milkweed, Raspberry Wine Bee Balm, Deutschland and Rhineland Astilbe, and an array of Hosta. Additionally, ten Ruby Snow Panicle Hydrangeas were planted around the lamppost.

The club’s 89 year-long dedication to horticulture and civic beautification is on display throughout the town of Milford, but especially at Barckley Park. The Milford Garden Club meets at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at St. Patrick’s Church Hall at 200 East High Street in Milford.