For the last 24 years Eileen Matheny has devoted a lot of time and attention at Proctor Park to the flower garden bed at the bend in the hiking path south of the Lions Pavilion on the southwest side of the park. It is known as flower bed No. 2.
But, as Matheny said recently, "All good things come to an end. The time has come for me to 'retire' from gardening flower bed No. 2 at Proctor Park. Hopefully someone will volunteer for a short time - or 20 years."
According to Matheny, those who haven't stopped by Proctor Park lately is missing a beautiful place with "something for everyone." The trees and flowers throughout the park are made even better with the memorial benches to allow visitors to the park to sit and enjoy their surroundings, not to mention the hiking trail, the four shelter houses, the equipment for children and adults and the tennis courts.
Matheny said a special thanks is due to those who donated all of the benches, trees and flowers at the park. "To the people who have given countless hours, and years, to maintaining and improving the park for generations to come - Thank you, job well done."
Matheny urged everyone to take the "grand tour" of the park. "What a wonderful gem for California, come and see," she said. This place will lift your spirit and soothe the soul."
Matheny asks that every check out the park and its beautiful gardens and sit on a bench and enjoy. Then call the Robert Pace of the City of California Park Department at 573-796-3884 or Matheny at 573-796-2560 to volunteer to make the flower gardens even better. Volunteers will receive some help this fall. "I will come and help you 'divide and conquer' this fall,"said Matheny.