If you visit the Simpson Garden Park on most Saturday mornings, expect to see a family of four, working
together, volunteering their time and energy, and enjoying the beauty and the tasks.
Meet the McDonalds: David and Sherry, and their children, Dylan and McKella "Kelly."
Simpson Garden and all the Bowling Green parks rely heavily on volunteers, and fortunately for the park,
the McDonalds are dedicated volunteers.
"They have done everything from planting, weeding, mulching, moving dirt, watering – whatever’s been
asked, they help with," said Dan Parratt, volunteer coordinator.
"We wanted to do this as a family," David said.
His wife had heard they needed volunteers, so they began looking at their options.
They started serving around April and "we are there every Saturday, when we can," dad stated.

"I’m giving back to the community in a way that helps a lot of people," Sherry said.
Dylan, age 15 and a sophomore at Bowling Green High School, views it as a hobby.
"There’s always work to be done and it has kept by interest," the teen stated.
That’s a far cry from his initial reaction, which was closer to the typical teen being forced to do
something because the parents said so.
"I look forward to Saturdays. It has kept my interest," he said.
"My interest in plants has blossomed, literally," Dylan laughed at his choice of words.
Interestingly, he does no gardening around the house. His sister has helped mom around the house with a
little garden which she tends.
One of the Dylan’s favorite areas is in the Children’s Garden, in part, because of the "little white
flowers" which he planted which are now in a span of two months "very big white flowers."

Parratt identified the flowers as the annual vincas which are thriving near the waterfall in the pond.

His sister, 12, a seventh-grade student at the new BG middle school, has also found joy in her work.
Among Kelly’s favorite projects was painting most of the ceramic animals which are placed throughout
primarily the Children’s Garden at Simpson.
She even recruited one of her friends to help with the painting.
Her brother has also had a friend join the family at the park on a Saturday.
Unfortunately for the girls, due to some vandalism, Kelly has had to repaint some of the animals.
The daughter also enjoys the same area, mainly because her painted bunnies and frogs are located there.

"I really like smelling the flowers," the middle school student said, noting the one that
smells like chocolate mint.
"My favorite is the sensory garden," dad said. "I love the heliotropes. I have to stop and
smell them every time I go there."
"I thought it was amazing they got their teens involved," said Michelle Grigore, director of
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation. "I was pretty excited to see they were all engaged. They are
using this to get physically fit and to bond."
Teamwork and family unity is one of the reasons for their successful volunteerism.
"It’s nice to be doing this with the family," Dylan said.
The father of the family acknowledges much of the work they do is "grunt work" but sees it as a
"win-win situation." The city gets good free labor; while the family spends quality time
together outdoors and getting good exercise.
"We’re not master gardeners, so we’ll just do what no one else wants to do," the father said.

However, the family also noted they have been given some freedom and creative ability in some aspects.

"It’s a privilege to have this in Bowling Green and our neighborhood," the mother said. "I
feel I have an obligation to help."
Because of her and her family’s work, she says, "I feel better when I walk through the garden."

When not volunteering, David serves as the I.T. manager for the City of Bowling Green. He has led the
effort to make wireless Internet connections available for people to use in the parks.
Sherry is a social worker for Firelands Medical Center’s Fremont office.
The couple both teach religious education at Maumee Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, where she
also serves on the board.
Despite the summer season fading away, the family will continue to work and volunteer for various
projects which can be done indoors over the winter.
Volunteers are always a wonderful addition to most groups and organizations. For the Simpson Garden Park,
they are vital.
"I wish we had 10 McDonald families," Parratt said noting the "stalwarts" have worked
in both heat and rain. "They just dig in and they don’t back off. They are always helpful."

More volunteers needed for Simpson, other parks
The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation office is seeking additional volunteers to assist with the care
and maintenance of Simpson Garden Park as well as the other parks within the system.
"We rely on volunteers so much to help us maintain our facilities," said Michelle Grigore,
director of Bowling Green Parks and Recreation.
She indicated volunteers can adopt a bed and design it themselves.
For those not interested or able to work in the actual garden beds, the director indicated volunteers
also take photos of the park, keep records, and other volunteer tasks.
"The engagement of this community in Simpson Garden Park continues to amaze me," Grigore stated
noting the financial donations, as well as time and energy devoted by the citizens and local businesses.

"There is tremendous community support. They make this a beautiful place to live," she added.

Anyone interested in volunteering time should call the coordinator, Dan Parratt, at (419) 353-0301.
He indicated with 11 acres to maintain and at least a couple of more garden areas to develop, he would be
happy to arrange a time which is convenient for the volunteer.
David McDonald and his family at the Simpson Garden Park. 9/1/09 (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)