MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - On July 22nd, more than thirty residents gathered at Central Park to celebrate the dedication of the Eleanor Luecke Memorial and the rededication of the Claire Twohy garden.

Luecke and Twohy, two activists in the community, strived to preserve nature and create parks for the residents. Spending most of their time attending township meetings and writing letters, the women helped shape the township residents live in today.

LuAnn Maisner, Director of Parks and Recreation, initiated the ceremony giving a brief introduction and background. A special recognition was also placed on the Meridian Garden Club for their outstanding efforts.

Being a popular rendezvous where kids can play and adults can relax, the park seemed like a perfect place for the beautiful gardens to grow.

"The main goal of the garden is to attract Monarch butterflies on their long flight to Mexico and to honor two very important women," said Jane Greenway, Parks and Land Management Coordinator.

The Liaison for Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, or LINC donated some of the money for the gardens, along with help from the park millage, but most of it was paid for by fundraising from the Meridian Garden Club.