Join arborist Ken LeRoy as he offers an informative talk of the landscaped grounds at Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 am. Hear stories about the various tree species and their unique characteristics.

LeRoy has been a certified arborist since 1991 and is a graduate of Temple University, School of Horticulture. He currently works for John B. Ward & Co. Arborists.

Growing up near 28th and Allegheny in Philadelphia, Ken would ride his bike at every opportunity to Fairmount Park, to see and enjoy the “urban forest.”

LeRoy’s knowledge of trees led him to learn about Thomas Meehan, considered to be the father of the urban park movement in Philadelphia and a noted advocate for preserving parks, including Bartram’s Garden. Meehan published two periodicals, Meehan’s Monthly and The Gardener’s Monthly, one of the first to include color illustrations and was considered key in making gardening popular to the general public.

Thomas Meehan & Sons created the landscape plan for Samuel Pennypacker’s country home, Pennypacker Mills. In 1902, two-thousand native trees and shrubs were transported by train to Schwenksville and planted by Meehan’s son, J. Franklin. Many of the original trees are still growing on the property and will be a focus of LeRoy’s talk.

To attend this free walk and talk, please call Pennypacker Mills at 610-287-9349 to pre-register for this free program. Attendance is limited and only those who pre-register may attend.

Masks and social distancing are required. All ages welcome. Pennypacker Mills is operated by the County of Montgomery, Department of Parks, Trails & Historic Sites. Open year-round for tours, education programs, exhibits, and seasonal events.

Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday, 1 to 4 pm. Closed Mondays and County Holidays. Call 610-287-9349 for more information. Pennypacker Mills is located at: 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA 19473. https://www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills