A tennis court and concrete retaining wall already have been removed. Garner said native plants would be planted.
“Low maintenance is a key feature related to the natural setting of the park,” she said.
Garner said the city would contact the schools about using the space as an outdoor classroom, which is within walking distance of the school buildings.
“What is their vision?” she said. “What would they like to see there?”
In 2007, the city bought the 3.1-acre undeveloped land, the location of the Hidden Garden, near Houk Stream for $475,000.
The city, which is land-locked, took the opportunity to buy the property to expand its green space, said City Manager Norbert Klopsch.
“To Oakwood, it is very important,” he said. “We have found it has been really well-received by the community.”
Klopsch said the cost to landscape the garden area, recently named Francine’s Garden in memory of former Oakwood resident the late Francine van der Hoeven, would be about $50,000, which will come from Dr. Ludolph van der Hoeven’s $20,000 donation in honor of his wife, as well as a fund established by former Mayor Judy Cook. The balance will come from the city’s general fund.
The garden, which is being landscaped by Siebenthaler’s, should be completed by the end of September. It will be dedicated in the fall. A date for the dedication has not yet been set.
Dr. van der Hoeven said he is happy to see his wife of 62 years honored.
“I’m very proud of it,” he said. “It is tremendous of the citizens to recognize a very special person after her passing.”
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