The Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens working in collaboration with the  City of Dover, is looking to replace the aging and diseased Ash trees in the garden.  We are developing a program for interested parties to Adopt a Tree. Individuals and organizations have an opportunity to memorialize an individual or recognize a special person, achievement, or occasion by donating a tree. The new trees will grow to generate a new disease-free canopy within the Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens which begins at 400 Central Avenue and meanders along the Cocheco River under the Chestnut Street bridge.

 Interested in learning more??  Click on this link and send us a message and we will be in contact or call 603-817-1843 and we will call you back with details. 

Download the Adopt A Tree Form here to adopt your tree!

On September 11th 2014 a hearty group of volunteers from Northeast Credit Union, SunLife Insurance and a couple of Dover citizens under the guidance of Ann Reid- Steering Committee member of the Friends of Joe Parks Garden   worked through a rain shower to tidy up the garden for fall. Than you so much ladies- it looks great!  Visit our FaceBook page to see action photos.

Help care for the Joe B Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens. 2014 tenders now being recruited. Takes an hour every couple of weeks on your own schedule, we provide the tools in our great shed making it convenient. Interested???? Contact ERFischer17@hotmail.com or call 603-817-1843

Foster’s Daily Democrat
By RON COLE
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

For many years, Lorraine Goren could be found working in Farnham’s Department Store in downtown Dover. Working for the family business and working for her beloved City of Dover.

Goren, a long time resident of Dover, died from cancer in 2009, and was memorialized by several hundred people on the Sunday afternoon. Although diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Goren battled the disease continuing to do good works for the city and its residents.

Said her husband Steve, “She never stopped volunteering, what I have come to realize is that through this beautiful garden, she will continue to do what she always did — give of herself by helping others.”

Sunday, the memory of Goren was honored as, just across the Cocheco River from that Farnham’s location, Lorraine’s Corner was dedicated.

In the past year, a concerted effort by many of Lorraine’s friends plus the added support of Amy’s Treat resulted in the creation of the memorial located on the Joe B. Parks Riverwalk, designed and implemented by Bernadette Norton with stonework done by Full Circle Stone Works.

The corner, according to Amy’s Treat board of directors member Lenore Rogers, “Is a quiet place for meditation and healing.”

The garden has two stone benches one inscribed, “Where hope grows and miracles blossom,” and the other, “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”

There is also a stone-meditative-healing well where people may drop inspirational feelings with the inscription, “all nature ministers to hope.”

“Lorraine was special,” said old friend Beth Fisher. “If there was ever a model for volunteerism, she was it. Nobody worked harder and she wasn’t afraid to ask for help with a project.”

Goren was active in all areas of the community having been named, along with her husband, Dover’s Citizen of the Year.

Another longtime friend, Jon Breen, while surveying the assemblage, commented, “This is Lorraine. She was one of a kind.”

In attendance at the brief ceremony were Goren’s husband Steve; their children Dave and Sue; grandchildren, Aaron, Noah, Mathew and Nate.

“This tribute is most fitting,” said daughter Susan, “my mother would have loved to see all these people here in this peaceful place.

According to former City Councilor Gina Cruikshank, “We loved this lady — she made a difference. I helped this go forward when I was on the council and it was one of my proudest moments to have had a small part.”

Connie Roy, a former chair of the Dover Chamber of Commerce, spoke of Lorraine saying, “I found her to be a very giving person, whatever you needed done, she’d do it. She really cared about the City of Dover and its people.”

Mayor Dean Trefethen commented, “This is a very fitting tribute to remember, in this manner, someone who has done so much for our community.”

Dover native son Jack Buckley referred to Lorraine Goren saying, “She was one of my best friends, she loved the city and its people, she was always a cheerleader for Dover and any cause she was involved with.”

Steve Goren read a note from a friend who could not be in attendance, “We have to remind ourselves that Lorraine is not here. I know she is busy with some good work somewhere.”

Visit http://www.amystreat.org/

[Show slideshow]

By LAURENNE RAMSDELL
Saturday, June 2, 2012

DOVER — A portion of the Joe B. Parks Riverwalk public garden will be dedicated next weekend in memory of longtime resident and activist Lorraine Goren.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, a garden area in the pathway that runs along the Cocheco River will be deemed “Lorraine’s Corner” in honor of her tireless effort to the make the city a better place.

Lorraine’s Corner is located in a section of the riverwalk that is most easily accessed next to Coldwell Banker on Central Avenue.

Lorraine moved to the Garrison City when she was a junior in high school and worked at her family’s Central Avenue business known as Farnham’s Department Store. She spent her years as a resident displaying multiple acts of volunteerism and was named, alongside her husband, as Dover’s Citizen of the Year in 1997.

In 2005, Lorraine was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She battled the disease with her family at her side until she passed at the age of 68 in 2009. Despite dealing with cancer, Stephen Goren said his wife didn’t let it stop her from continuing to aid the city and its many residents.

The Gorens were introduced to Amy’s Treat, a 501c3 that reaches out to those affected by cancer, during Lorraine’s four year battle. As a couple who loves music and theater, they were treated to a night out at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre.

After Lorraine’s passing, Goren was again approached by the nonprofit. The group wanted Goren’s OK to create a meditation and healing garden along the Cocheco River walkway that would be a memorial to his wife.

“I think they were looking for someone who was representative of the community,” said Goren. “There’s probably very few people who were better known than Lorraine.”

The memorial includes the installation of a stone near the Central Avenue entrance to the walkway bearing the inscription, “Lorraine’s Corner, where hope grows. Meditative healing garden supported by Amy’s Treat in memory of Lorraine Goren.” Flowers and shrubbery conducive to healing and meditation have been planted, and benches and a stone walkway have been constructed as well.

Goren said he thinks the location of Lorraine’s Corner is fitting because his wife was such a presence in the downtown community.

As for the healing garden, Goren said he also thought that was an appropriate reflection of his wife’s spirit.

“Lorraine is continuing to leave her mark on the city through the garden,” he said with a smile.

Goren said he is hoping people will adopt a habit he has already created for himself, which consists of visiting the garden almost every time he passes through town. He said he hopes that Lorraine’s Corner will serve as a place for patients, their families and anyone looking for a moment of serenity to go and relax.

“It will also help bring attention to what types of things Amy’s Treat does for the community,” said Goren.

City officials as well as members of Amy’s Treat and the Joe B. Parks Committee will be on hand for the June 10 dedication. The public is encouraged to attend and enjoy the garden.

[Show slideshow]

Thursday, May 10, 2012

DOVER — Dover High School – In an effort to beautify and revitalize downtown Dover, the vision for the Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens was established. Dover High School Art Teachers, Francine Kontos and Christopher M. Strickland collaborated with the local Dover Arts Commission, to develop a youth arts grant proposal that would allow Dover High School student artists to participate and engage in a community arts project. The project titled, ‘Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Community Sculpture Garden’, specifically involves the design and creation of sculptures that would enhance and expand on the aesthetic appearance and vision of the public garden in downtown Dover.

As a result, Dover High School was awarded a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. The project provides an invaluable authentic learning experience and civic opportunity for students to learn about creating art for communal and cultural purposes and public display; learn how to interact and collaborate with local businesses and organizations and how the creative process is a valuable tool in the workplace.

With the assistance of Green Foundry casting services at Sanctuary Arts, a variety of sculptural artworks are currently being created at Dover High School and will be added to the garden in early June of 2012. An official ceremony to reveal the sculptures to the Joe B. Parks Sculptural Garden will be held on June 9, 2012 at 11:00 AM and is open to the public.