MRG Pocket Park Project

This little park has been dubbed the “Pocket Park”; it is adjacent to the former railroad tunnel running under Hanover Street and the downtown mall in Lebanon and is behind Goss Logan Insurance on Mechanic Street. The spot is particularly beautiful because of its proximity to a waterfall on the Mascoma River as it rushes under Mechanic Street. An Eagle Scout project of Lebanon’s Jake Jasinski and his team of volunteers, it is currently the eastern end of the MRG.  Right now, the park serves as an outdoor space for those living in the neighborhood as well as a resting place for those making the round trip between West Lebanon and Lebanon.

There are big plans for this little park. With hopes that the tunnel will soon be reinforced and link the MRG to the Northern Rail Trail, the park is envisioned as a welcoming resting space or picnic spot for runners, walkers, bikers, etc. traveling east and west. It already has a small pollinator garden of daylilies. beebalm, echinacea, cranesbill geranium, daisies, lupine, and alyssum; daffodils and forget-me-nots have been planted under some of the trees. The next step is for three more beds, perhaps a small Japanese-style garden, Japanese maples, rhododendrons, and spirea, all with the hope of the park being ready for the official Opening Day of the MRG, July 21, 2018!

Gardener’s Supply is offering design consultation for the new plantings as well as employee volunteers to help with the process. Upper Valley Trails Alliance has volunteered to build the paths. We will need volunteers to help remove the sod from the planned beds and build up the soil with compost and manure.  Other volunteers will plant flowers. Staff of Lebanon’s Recreation and Parks will transport materials and plant trees and shrubs. The work schedule looks like this: