Tree of Concern Historical Landmark Honors Founder

Sharing memorial grounds with Memorial Hall Please Touch Museum and the Japanese Tea House, and nestled among legendary cherry blossom trees, since 1976, there stands a real growing Tree of Concern in Fairmount Park West, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It celebrates programs designed and implemented to deter youth gang violence in the 60’s under the leadership of Margie Brown-Boynes. At its base is a one thousand pound granite marker with a tablet bearing Margie’s name.  The recognition was commissioned by the late Honorable Mayor Frank L. Rizzo, the Fairmount Park Commission, and the Pennsylvania Bicentennial Commission.

Never before has a live person received a historical marker in Fairmount Park; the worlds’ largest urban park.  “A tree of concern grows in Tioga,” adage was created in the 60’s by a community challenged by hostile rival gangs. It has brought hope and life enhancing programs to young children, teenagers and senior citizens for more than 40 years.