From the monuments to the emerald green grass, the place is immaculate.
“There was actually a wedding in this park,” said Steve Guider, who created VMP.
Guider deservedly gets most of the credit for this space, but there are others who also put in time to make it look good.
One of them is Blaine resident Denise Swanson, who has brought flower power to the park.
Said Guider: “What she’s done here for this park is incredible.”
Swanson puts in countless volunteer hours planting flowers and taking care of gardens at VMP.
She has been doing this for five years and it’s become her passion.
“I love being outside,” Swanson said. “If there’s any excuse for being outside in the nice weather I will do it…It’s a great experience just to be out here. It’s very peaceful. It’s enjoyable if you love to be outside.”
“She’s a massive part of this,” Guider said. “The flowers that are around here, I bet she’s planted 99 percent of them.”
Mission accomplished
Swanson’s motivation to donate time to the park was fostered by something she saw on social media.
“It was a photo about five years ago that was posted on Facebook,” Swanson said. “Steve Guider’s mom planting an annual with her rheumatoid arthritis. From there on out I told Steve if you need help let me know. That’s been the history of it.”
Keeping these flowers bright and vibrant is Swanson’s mission. When you take a walk through the park and see the dazzling colors, it’s clear that it’s mission accomplished.
“The length she’s willing to go to get flowers to help beautify this place is unmatched,” Guider said.
“It just magnifies everything,” Swanson said. “It brings out beauty and creation. It’s a great compliment to all the beautiful monuments. I feel it has a wow factor.”
“Denise is in a class by herself,” Swanson said. “I probably spend the most time in here as anybody and she is without question a close number two.”
The colorful flowers that Swanson plants and cares for are donated by Tamblyn’s farm and greenhouse. Owner Ron Tamblyn has had 24 family members serve in the military . Last year they donated $3,500 in plants to VMP.
