In 1884 William Scott and Alexander Cassatt purchased 160 acres from the heirs of Virginia Governor Tazewell. Together they founded Cape Charles (incorporation date 1886 as one of the earliest planned communities in the United States) to serve as a terminus for the New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad.
In the middle of the original town plat a tract of five acres was identified as ‘Central Park’. Over the years the space was used for many things, most recently as a football stadium but that ceased in 1993.
In 2000, a group of residents (full and part-time) met and organized Citizens for Central Park and began to remove the stadium lights, the scoreboard, a civil-defense siren, old playground equipment, and a 6’ chain-link fence with two padlocked entrances. The group was then joined by the local Women’s Club which raised the funds for a new playground; the Garden Club which won a grant to build the pergola, planted the crape myrtles and jasmine around it, and established the two rose gardens; and the local Rotary Club which recently paid for a Peace Pole for the park.
Through private donations, grants from the Eastern Shore Community Foundation, federal, state, and local governments, and proceeds from the sale of margueritas during summer band concerts (since 2013) the park has continued to improve.
The upkeep of a pollinator garden, eight large planters and other follower beds, tree pruning, and watering of the plantings in the park is maintained by Master Gardener volunteers.
Plum St &, Monroe Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310
PHOTOS COMING SOON
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Theresa Long Pittman at 757-787-1361 ext. 14 during business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.