On May 23, St. Vrain Historical Society, Inc., or SVHS, made a post on Facebook regarding new trees that were planted, along with a new sign made by volunteer Lewis Geyer at Old Mill Park for visitors to enjoy.
According to Alyce Davis executive director of SVHS, “The park is officially open for the spring and summer.”
Teri Segelke donated two red autumn blaze maple trees in honor of her late father, Galen Miller, who was a longtime volunteer superintendent at Old Mill Park and board member of SVHS.
Previously, the park had apple trees, but when they became diseased, they were removed. At the time of their removal, Teresa Litman, current volunteer superintendent, said she and Miller had discussions about what kind of trees they should be replaced with.
“He said, would not red maple look beautiful in the fall against the cabins,” Litman said, “So, I mentioned that to his daughter.”
In the end, Miller’s daughter took Litman’s advice and purchased two red autumn blaze maple trees from the Tree Farm and she and her husband went to Old Mill Park and planted them. In addition to the changing colors in the fall, the trees will provide shade to the stage area.
According to Segelke, Miller began volunteering at the SVHS after his wife’s death in 2008 and after reconnecting with an old friend from high school, Sharon Wherry.
“I think because of her involvement in the historical society and her involvement in the Longmont community, that’s how he got involved,” Segelke said, “And he just took it, he just took the park under his wing and ran with it.”
Since SVHS is an independent nonprofit, the upkeep isn’t paid for with city funds. Instead, it relies on donations.
“We depend on the help of our volunteers,” Davis said.
In addition to coordinating the physical labor at the park, “(Miller) had a vision to help keep Old Mill Park open, using primarily volunteer power,” Davis said, “For a while, Galen was a volunteer push mowing the whole park by himself, and doing some yard work and helping me at the office arrange and coordinate private events, as well as being the treasurer of the historical society.”
Unfortunately, Segelke didn’t realize the importance of the park to her father until after his death. So now she is trying to honor his memory.
“I am trying to keep his legacy alive,” Segelke said.
Miller volunteered at the park until his death on August 21, 2019.
Currently, Segelke is looking for someone to help fix The Affolter Cabin.
“The bottom wood is rotting,” Segelke said.
The park is hoping to get a bid to fix the cabin to create an agenda on how to get it fixed, Segelke said.
“We always encourage people to come and visit the park, I always like to remind people that they’re welcome to volunteer at the park,” Davis said, “Also, donations to the park are greatly appreciated.”
The park is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except when it is booked out for private parties.
