Once considered among the worlds great botanical treasures, the John McLaren Memorial Rhododendron Dell has fallen victim to time and the elements. The same storms of 1995 that severely damaged the Conservatory of Flowers, also toppled most of the big aging pine and cypress trees that had sheltered the plants from the sun. When the canopy of protection and shade was knocked away, the plants were burned by the sun. In addition, many of the plants were fifty to sixty years old and had lost some of their vitality. When gardeners discovered many plants had developed armillagria, a fungus in the soil, it was decided a complete restoration was in order.

The Restoration
In the spring of 2001, park gardeners began replanting the Dell. First, workers cleared the fallen trees and dead or dying plants. Next, new trees, this time redwoods were planted. Redwood trees last for centuries, but grow slowly, so it will be several years before the Dell can approach its former glory.

How it was in the
Rhododendron Dell:

---

The dell was started as a twelve acres plot in 1942, and has expanded as enthusiasm for it grew. It is located on John F. Kennedy drive, a little west of the Conservatory of Flowers, near 7th Avenue.

Visitors to the dell will find at the entrance a life-size monument of John McLaren. The statue was created about 1911 by sculptor and Park Commissioner M. Earl Cummings. Park lore has it that McLaren hid the monument under an old mattress in the West Side Stables soon after its creation, and it was not erected in its present position until after his death in January of 1943.

---