Embedded Files
Making Parks a Priority
Reflecting its name, Garrett Park is a town of inviting and family-friendly parks thanks to forward-thinking residents of yesterday and committed residents of today. The Town boasts five established parks and natural spaces, including Cambria Park, Garrett-Waverly Park, Porcupine Woods, Wells Park, and Manny's Woods. Wells Park and part of Garrett-Waverly Park are now owned by Montgomery County; the other parks and open spaces are owned by the Town of Garrett Park.
Wells Park
In 1935, residents Mabel and Alton Wells donated their property located at the corner of Rokeby and Argyle Avenues to the Town with the intention that it become a playground for area children. The park was officially named Wells Park in the 1950s when the town transferred the property to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Today, the park is part of the Montgomery County Parks system.
🌿 GP Women in Conservation: Mabel Wells was an active resident of Garrett Park. She and her husband, Alton, moved to Town in the 1920s and were one of the first owners of the newly developed "Chevy Houses." Mabel and Alton were actively involved in supporting programs for children, including boys and girls clubs. Mabel also served on the Women's Club, the school board, and as a Sunday school teacher at the old chapel (today's Town Hall).
The Old Spring / Grotto Property
In 1975, Town residents Peggy and Dick Pratt purchased the Town's old spring/grotto property located on Argyle Avenue to preserve it. In 2023, they transferred ownership to the Town of Garrett Park as a space for all residents to enjoy and be reminded of the Town's rich history.
Photo: The spring/grotto property about 1910. Postcard. One of the children is believed to be William "Haile" Chisholm. Garrett Park Town Archives. Photographer unknown.
Photo: The spring/grotto property in 2022. Pratt Recognition Event Collection, Garrett Park Town Archives. Photograph by Les Henig.Â
🌿 GP Women in Conservation: Peggy Pratt
Laura “Peggy” Combs Pratt was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating from McMurray College in Illinois, she moved to California, where she ultimately received her Master’s degree in education at Stanford University. Following time in Illinois, Peggy, her husband Dick, and their children settled in Garrett Park in 1966. The mother of young children, Peggy immediately became involved with the Garrett Park Nursery School, serving as Treasurer. She also served on the Citizens’ Association and was instrumental in having Garrett Park placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1978, Peggy was elected to the Town Council, and four years later, she was elected Mayor (the first women in Garrett Park to hold this office). Peggy served as Mayor for four years.Â
Photo: Dick and Peggy Pratt at the recognition event for their grotto property donation, December 4, 2022. Pratt Recognition Event Collection, Garrett Park Town Archives. Photograph by Les Henig.Â
Photo: New Mayor Peggy Pratt with outgoing Mayor Donn Mader, 1982. Photograph Collection. Garrett Park Town Archives. Photographer unknown.
“It abounds in limpid springs of pure, cool, delicious water, and is well drained by numerous small streams.”Â
Source: Garrett Park! Sales brochure, 1890. Garrett Park Town Archives.
Manny's Woods
In January 2004, Garrett Park residents came together to create a special "pocket park" to recognize the many contributions of long-time resident Manny Sullivan. Manny passed away a few months later, but the park lives on as a memorial to her.
🌿 GP Women in Conservation: Manny Sullivan
Marian Alvord Flanders Sullivan, known as Manny to her many friends, was born in Washington, DC in 1926. She attended Woodrow Wilson High School, followed by George Washington University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology. In 1966, Manny and her family moved to Garrett Park, and Manny embraced the natural beauty of the area by immersing herself in gardening flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees. She served on the Arboretum Committee and participated in many committee activities, including park clean-up projects and tree walks. She also served as president of the Garrett Park Women’s Club for two terms.Â
Photo: Manny Sullivan planting a tree at Wells Park, undated. Garrett Park Town Archives.
Porcupine Woods
Originally identified as a park on early maps of Garrett Park, in later years, this 2-1/2 acre naturally wooded area became privately owned. In the 1960s, when the owners proposed to build town houses on the property, Town leaders initiated actions to prevent the development. After years of legal battles, in 1973 the Town purchased the property from the owners using, in part, matching grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State of Maryland. In the spring of 1974, Town residents came out to clean up the newly dubbed "Porcupine Woods," named in recognition of the Town's new mascot. (According the Garrett Bugle, the name "Porcupine Hollow" was first considered, but some said it sounded too much like something out of Winnie the Pooh.)
Cambria Park
Cambria Park, much of which borders the railroad, comprises the swimming pool, a ballfield, a playground, and woods. Portions of the park were acquired by the Town over a period of time. Like Porcupine Woods, some of the property was acquired to prevent possible zoning by Montgomery County that would have allowed town homes and other development. Town residents embraced Cambria Park and participated in several cleanup projects over the years, with the most notable ones occurring in 1976 and 1993. In 1993, the Town rededicated Cambria Park to "dedicate new equipment and to recognize the participation of the State of Maryland through Program Open Space funds."
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Photographs of the 1993 Rededication. Upper righthand picture features Town residents Glenda Ingham and Henri Keller, active supporters of the park and park improvements. Garrett Park Town Archives. Photographer unknown.
Thank You for exploring Garrett Park's Conservation History and just some of the women who have contributed to it over the years.
Interested in learning more about Garrett Park? Check out the town's website at www.garrettparkmd.gov.
Exhibit created by Garrett Park Town Archives, September 2024.
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