Soroptimist donates bench for Sunshine Trail Garden
David Stuart, director of the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, was the guest speaker at a recent Soroptimist International of Lodi meeting. SI Lodi presented a check of $2,000 at the meeting for a bench at the newly renovated Sunshine Trail Garden for the Blind, located at Micke Grove Park.
David presented history of the park and the described recent renovations of the Sunshine Trail Garden for the Blind and the Delta Waterpath.
The Sunshine Trail is a living exhibition of native plants which was originally envisioned by Dora Johnson, the founding director of the San Joaquin Historical Society in 1971. Soroptimist International of Lodi pledged to develop the exhibition with emphasis on enjoyment by those with impaired vision.
The trail demonstrates the different types of vegetation and wilderness in Northern California. Ground was broken on May 25, 1977 and the Sunshine Trail was dedicated on May 22, 1983.
Since its inception, thousands of dollars have been raised by Soroptimist International of Lodi, in addition to many hours in donated labor and materials to build and improve the Sunshine Trail Garden for the Blind.
David Stuart became director of the Historical Society in 2007. A new partnership was formed with Tree Lodi and the Lodi Lions Club in 2008. These organizations participated in rehabilitation of the Trail.
The Sunshine Trail and other parts of Micke Grove Park have been further updated and improved with a grant that was awarded to the SJ Historical Society by the Water Bond Act of 2006.
David shared what has been accomplished with this grant money and Americans with Disabilities Act updates. Members were invited to visit the trail to enjoy the improvements.
Soroptimist is a service organization for professional women. Our mission is to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. You can visit our website at www.lodisoroptimist.org or visit our Facebook page at “Soroptimist International of Lodi.” For more information or to become a member, call Deb at 209-368-8173.