Plantings at the Red Barn

Beautifying the Stamford Parking Area - 2010

Early this summer, Emilio Funicella, a local Stamford resident, started acquiring plants and gradually created a terraced landscaping around the lower parking lot, between the Red Barn and Merriebrook Lane.  Manpower was provided by volunteers, including many from the Liberation House Program.

Emilio's garden comes alive! (Click photo to enlarge)

Park visitors frequently praise his work. Not only are the plantings worthwhile visually*, but also they steer visitors to the path created by the Student Conservation Association, thus reducing erosion of the hillside.

This summer's drought presented a real challenge to sustaining the plantings. Emilio managed with volunteers, water trucks, and finally a water line from the Red Barn, to keep the plants from dying of thirst.

Finally, Emilio also coordinated the installation of surplus Stamford park benches, for visitors to rest their weary feet while enjoying the plantings.

His passion and ability to get things done and his willingness to volunteer repeatedly were recognized in December 2009, when Domus honored him as a local hero.

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* Although Emilio planted a few plants that are on the Connecticut State list of Banned Invasive Plants, we have worked with him to avoid that in the future, and those invasives were removed.