MANCHESTER, NH – The trustees of Wagner Memorial Park are pleased to announce that restoration work will begin the week of May 8th in the venerable “Pretty Park.” The improvements to begin this month will constitute the first of two phases of work intended to re-establish the park’s beauty through plant replacement, fence refurbishing, brick installation, bench upgrades, and the creation of a new walkway leading to the park’s iconic domed memorial.
After receiving feedback during an open house event held last summer by the Friends of Wagner Memorial Park, landscape architect Kerry Schleyer of KS Landscape Architecture of Manchester has created an extensive planting scheme for phase one. Existing vegetation located behind the memorial will be removed and replaced, new flowering trees will be planted, and invasive species will be removed in various locations park wide.
Another project highlight will be the placement of brick pavers around the memorial and a plaza to be created near the existing flagpole. Four original Wagner Park benches will occupy the new plaza space providing park visitors with a place to socialize and relax in a serene setting.
Phase one work is expected to cost around $200,000 and is funded through the Edward Wagner and George Hosser Scholarship Fund set up by the park’s founder, Ottilie Wagner Hosser. Phase one work, to be undertaken by Morin’s Landscaping of Hollis, will extend into the summer months, taking place primarily in the eastern (upper) half of the park, which will be fenced off during construction. As such, the area surrounding the park’s memorial will not be available for prom photos and weddings until an as-of-yet determined date this fall.
Phase two is expected to take place in 2018 and will focus on the western (lower) side of the park. Phase two tasks will include removing and replacing ground cover as well removing overly mature plants. About Wagner Memorial Park: Wagner Memorial Park, also known as Pretty Park, was constructed 75 years ago at the bequest of Ottilie Wagner, whose home once stood on the property bounded by Maple, Myrtle, Oak, and Prospect streets. It was the desire of Mrs. Wagner that no City funds would be used for construction or maintenance of the park. To that end she created a trust fund, administered by three park trustees, who have overseen the maintenance activities over the years.
