Growing Annmarie Garden
Imagination makes Annmarie Garden grow. This month, the Garden grew a bit more, adding a new space to inspire children and honoring a founding visionary.
Giant wooden scissors snipped a multicolored ribbon at the dedication of the Garden’s new John Dennis Murray Arts Building,
As president of Friends of Annmarie Garden, Murray helped to create the garden in 30 acres of woods. Murray, who died last year, also oversaw the addition of the garden’s other landmarks, including the bronze statue, Tribute to the Oyster Tonger, A Chesapeake Waterman.
“Today we celebrate a pioneer,” said Annmarie Garden Director Stacy Hann-Ruff.
From that building, the Children’s Nature Trail leads through a fantasy landscape of miniature gnome and fairy homes to the new Demas Family Children’s Garden and Creekside Overlook. That airy, two-level playhouse, adorned with an upper deck and windows, is the first phase of a growing Children’s Discovery Garden, which will include a wildlife observation station, native plants and play elements, all made from nature.
“I did this for the children,” said Anthony Williams, president of Built-Rite Home Developers, as he set the first stepping stone. Williams, who has two daughters and three granddaughters, donated labor and materials for the playhouse.
To bless the children’s new playhouse and surrounding garden, Pastor Faith Lewis of Olivet United Methodist Church donned a patchwork-quilted robe embroidered with Hope, Peace and Love.
Then, amidst bubbles and rainbow-colored-feathers, a hullabaloo invited imagination to flourish in the new garden.