Bree LaCasse, Executive Director and Ian Jacobs, President of the Friends of Congress Square Park Recently

Karen Perry, A Volunteer at Congress Square Park, Waters Plants Recently.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,713)

Earlier this month, Ian Jacobs, a West End resident of Portland, was elected president of the Friends of Congress Square Park for a one year term. He succeeds David LaCasse.

Jacobs, who is also president of the West End Neighborhood Association, said his goal is to look at our long term plans That will include the Park’s role in its upcoming redesign. Denis Nye, who died unexpectedly earlier this summer was a part-time employee of the Friends as is Bree. Several others have stepped up to fill his large shoes following his death.  His replacement will be considered at the end of the programming season.

All activities at the Park are free to the public.  The Friends is notable for its large number of volunteers.  One of them is Karen Perry a nearby resident.  Perry waters plants in the Park several times a week and assists in other ways as well.   She graduated from  Pratt Insitute and taught art on Long Island, New York.  Perry serves as co-chair of the Portland Disability Advisory Committee.  She’s active in the Maine Adaptive Program. Perry started the popular Designing Women forums. (Not the TV show!)

The last event of the season comes next month with the Pumpkin Carving contest. .