Honoring Noblesville’s ‘Flower Lady’
Darren Peterson (left), Chris Martin (in background), Dagny Zupin (second from right) and Kelly McVey (right) of Noblesville Parks help unload soil.
For over three decades Mona Stevens was the silent force behind downtown Noblesville’s potted flowers and Forest Park flowerbeds. During the spring, summer and fall, she was a familiar sight to people on the square and folks who frequented Forest Park. Stevens became known around town affectionately as ‘the flower lady.’
Stevens lovingly designed and cared for the Forest Park and downtown flowers during her 31-year tenure with the City of Noblesville Parks & Recreation Department. She passed away in December of 2021.
Noblesville City Parks &Rec employee Bruce Neal tends to the soil while planting.
“Mona’s impact on our park system and on our downtown cannot be overstated,” said City of Noblesville Parks & Recreation Director Brandon Bennett. “Mona was passionate about her flowers. That passion and work ethic is what endeared her to so many.”
This past Friday, Noblesville Parks and Keep Noblesville Beautiful volunteers honored Stevens’ legacy by planting a memorial garden on the southeast end of Forest Park. The garden, designed by city parks department employee Bruce Neal, includes Steven’s favorite flowers: varieties of coneflowers, coral bells, daisies and viburnum.
Neal said his choice of location was strategic. “Mona’s memorial garden and bench offer a perfect view of the gardens she created and tended to, as well as an expansive view of the park she loved. I like to think that with this central placement, she’s still keeping an eye on all her plants.”
The City Parks Department’s idea of a memorial garden was made possible through a donation from Keep Noblesville Beautiful, and through the volunteer efforts of Peterson Architecture, Martin & Martin Insurance Agency and Duke Energy.