At an early age, Frank enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables. He remembers his family growing most of their vegetables in a large garden. He also remembers his family preserving them by freezing or canning and storing them in the basement.

     After retiring from PPL Electric at Brunner Island Power Plant in the mid 1990s, Frank’s wife strongly suggested he find a hobby! (This is where the County Parks lucked out!) His interest in growing plants led him to Penn State Extension and the Master Gardener Program, graduating in 1998.
  
     In 1999, Frank started the Rudy Park Gardens with assistance from other Master Gardeners. The site has grown from just flowers in a couple of plots to over an acre of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

     In 2011, Frank, other master gardeners, volunteers and York County Youth Probation harvested about 6,045 pounds of fruits and vegetables. This was divided between the York County Food Bank and the Catholic Harvest Pantry. Frank also created the gardens along the Rail Trail between Grantley Road and Richland Avenue. Frank estimates that since 1999 he has spent well over 3,000 hours volunteering in the parks.

If you want to learn more about the John Rudy Park Demonstration Garden, please visit:
http://extension.psu.edu/york/programs/master-gardener/demonstration-gardens


 If you or someone you know has in interest in volunteering for the Parks or becoming a Park Ambassador, please contact Mike Fobes at 840-7440.