The fascinating Fairview Park grounds of Bernadette and Norm Munday show how man and nature can work together. Nearby, a carefully tended garden keeps the memory of a loved one alive. (Photos by Larry Bennet)

A bit of paradise in the middle
of a busy suburb spells contentment
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published August 23, 2006

One of the pleasant benefits of being a garden writer sometimes comes in the form of scenic surprises. So when Bernadette and Norm Munday of Fairview Park invited me to see their unusual property, I did not know what to expect.

The landscaping in front of the house shows discipline, order and great maintenance. Not a weed in sight. It all makes for a pleasant suburban setting. But, that is not even half the story. Come with me to the rear of the property. That’s where all the action is.

I have not before encountered a homeowner that needs a 400-foot bridge to make it to the other side of his property. The bridge, spanning Coe Creek, was built by the Mundays. The story starts 22 years ago, a time when Norm said that: “the property did not look like it looks today. It was a dump and we had to clean out the whole creek bed.”

After the clean-up, steel trusses and concrete footers were put in place. This solidly constructed span will withstand the ravages of time. Not only is it functional, but it has decorative elements also. There are planted hayracks hanging over the side and decorative lights to brighten the crossing at night.

It was a laborious job to clear the creek of all its debris, entailing some heavy lifting. For some reason, an old driveway with large concrete pieces had been thrown into the creek and needed to be removed. The former breeding ground for mosquitoes is now a shallow but free-flowing creek. During heavy rains, the water level may rise a few inches, but has never overrun the bank.

To keep the creek free and clear has become a twice-yearly cleaning job. The banks have a jumble of lusty grape vines crawling upwards. Majestic stinging nettles, rarely seen in a city, are a throwback to the farmland this once was. The Dutch elm disease that once killed all of our elm trees is past and here, strong young elms stand their ground. There are maple, mulberry and cottonwood trees. Their great numbers stand strong and shrubby volunteers form a lower story thicket. If a tree falls, it gets turned into wood chips — the base for the woodland walk meandering through the land. 

The almost 400-foot deep property ranks among one of the largest in Fairview Park. When the family looked at the house for the first time, it was deep winter. They believed their plot would end at the creek, but found out differently. Since then, they have added and 78 additional feet of landlocked property that did not belong to any of the neighbors. It took a bit of sleuthing to find the owners. The swampy area had become a neighborhood dumping ground, as no one laid claim to the property. It was desirable for the additional park-like wilderness that is cherished by the current owners. 

 Norm decided that he would drain the swamp and channel the water toward the creek. Now, when there is strong rain or the winter snow melts, a drainage ditch catches the extra water and directs it to a pipe that runs into the creek. In turn, the creek gives up its water, via a pump, for watering the lawn and flowerbeds. It is an ecological, workable solution that at the same time cuts down on the water bill.

 As much as the couple cherishes the unspoiled grandeur of the land, there is a more prim and proper 12-foot-by-15-foot garden. The mood here is completely different. Chunks of concrete found in the creek surround the garden. Norm successfully chiseled the broken concrete pieces to look like rocks. This is a solemn garden, a memorial garden. Their only child, a son, was killed in an accident at age 28 and this spot is dedicated to his memory. Here, the informality of the rest of the property stands in contrast to the hydrangea and the full-sized elephant ears. In midsummer there are lilies galore. Peonies add even more color, while the perennial geraniums always can be counted on to add interest. The stately cannas are yet to flower and the stonecrop, also known as autumn sedum, is ready to burst out and bring on a colorful splash.   Nothing can negate the pain, but the serene and beautiful garden is honoring to their son’s memory.

  Lighting throughout the garden is very much one of the elements of design. A tall, three-tier black and pineapple crested fountain splashes its water that becomes a crystal-like liquid into the bowls when illuminated. A small water feature by the deck, next to the deck by the house, is also illuminated. There was a smaller deck here once but that found a new use once the larger one was built. The original one now is in a secluded spot in the back woods and you don’t know it’s there until you come upon it.

Bernadette and Norm are completely happy with their surroundings and feel no need to go on vacation. They don’t want to be away from their little bit of paradise they have created for their own enjoyment.