The city of Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services honored Master Gardener volunteers Ed LaCrosse and Wayne Dinkelman for 15 years of service during an open house Saturday at the Neely-Soames Historic Homestead.
LaCrosse, the 2010 State Master Gardener of the Year, and Dinkelman, who was unable to make the ceremony, were honored for their work in maintaining heritage gardens and grounds.
LaCrosse works closely with the city, consulting and advising staff about improvements and maintenance to the house and grounds. The garden features an herb garden, a vegetable garden, a grape arbor, a hops arbor, fruit trees, a compost center and planting beds surrounding the historic Neely-Soames home. All plants are contemporaneous to the home.
Produce from the gardens is donated to the Kent Food Bank.
Volunteers put in more than 650 hours last year, and a total of 6,000 volunteer hours has been logged in tending to the gardens and grounds.
Mayor Suzette Cooke, representatives from the King County Master Gardeners, whose members and friend maintain the heritage gardens and grounds, and Kent Parks, Rec and Community Services were on hand for the ceremony.
The Neely-Soames Homestead was listed on the State Register of Historic Homes in 1977. It underwent significant renovations in 1999 and 2000, and is supported by the Washington State Historical Society, King County and the city of Kent.
The 1885 historic residence along the Green River Trail features a heritage kitchen garden, gardening programs run by Master Gardeners. It is one of the oldest houses in Kent.
For more information about the homestead or to receive a self-guided walking tour, call 253-856-5110.
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