Garden gates unveiled in Milton Memorial Park

Two forged metal sculptures were unveiled in Milton Memorial Park June 24, commemorating the Milton Garden Club’s 20 years of service to the town. 

Garden gates of three tulips and three sunflowers will now greet folks as they enter the park. 

Created by Forged Creations of Delaware City, the sculptures were the brainchild of Milton Garden Club President Sandy Winterbottom and member Kathryn Greig. 

“Our main goal is to make everything look beautiful for the town,” said Winterbottom. “We just want to do a lot of great things for the town because I think it’s up and coming.” 

The garden club was founded in 1998. Eleven people attended the first meeting, with nine more showing up at the next one. 

“Today we have 69 members, and we’re still doing the same thing they originally started,” Greig said. “The whole goal was to make Milton bloom with flowers.”

Blacksmith Kerry Rhoades and his apprentice Ken Adams spent many, many hours over the course of a few weeks to create each gate.

“It’s definitely been an honor to do this,” he said. “I hope everyone enjoys it.” 

Winterbottom and Greig first visited with Rhoades in Delaware City, where he took them around and showed off some of his creations. The tour sealed the deal.

The project was completed without any town funds, as the garden club was able to cover expenses through a silent auction and donations. 

“I don’t think we can emphasize enough the contributions the garden club has given this town over the past 20 years,” said Mayor Ted Kanakos. “They have a vision. They work hard at it. And they work hard at it every year.”