Young Josephine Hess, great-granddaughter of Josephine “JN” Kierr, sat in her mother’s arms and squealed with delight as Edward “Bubby” Lyons, interim mayor for the city of Mandeville, dedicated a garden in her family’s name.

The baby was probably just laughing at the balloons dancing in the wind over her head and had no idea what this day meant to her family, but still it was fitting that she was present.

The family of the late Raymond and JN Kierr donated the lot on Carroll Street to the city on Feb. 10, 2003, with the purpose of it being preserved and maintained as a passive garden.

Interim Mayor Edward “Bubby” Lyons presents a proclamation to members of the Kierr family during the dedication of the Kierr Family Garden. With Lyons, from left, are Susan Kierr, Ellen Kierr-Stein, Sarah Hess and Josephine Hess. (Staff Photo by Suzanne Le Breton)

It was the site of the late couple’s weekend getaway, a place where they could escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend time together and with their three children and their grandchildren.

They had a tree house built among the camellia bushes and pines, giving them the same vantage point as the squirrels and birds they came to watch.

One of their children, their only son, died tragically, but the two daughters, Susan and Ellen, were present Friday afternoon for the dedication.

Neglect and two hurricanes left the tree house unsalvageable and the property in disarray.

But with a push from Susan and Ellen, and the prodding of Councilman Jeff Bernard, the city has taken the initiative to move forward with the project, which had been put on the back burner for nearly seven years.

All but one of the treasured camellia bushes was destroyed during the storm and the cleanup after, but the city’s public works department has cleaned up the site, and the family has erected a sign.

The sign, which was created by New Orleans artist Tristan Blood reads the “Kierr Family Garden,” as the property was officially named during the ceremony Friday, is dedicated “to the fathers, husbands, brothers and sons by the mothers, wives, sisters and daughters.”

Ellen Kierr-Stein said including that wording on the sign was very important to them, as they want the garden to be “all inclusive, for everyone.”

She said it also defines all of the roles of the five original Kierr family members. She thinks the city’s plans are wonderful and making the site a permanent tranquil setting will be a legacy to her parents.

Lyons said the city is going to try to restore the garden and honor the Kierr family, which because of the son’s death has no heirs to carry on the family name.

He thanked them for what he defined as a “tremendous donation for the city,” and promised he would do all he could to ensure their wishes for a passive, simple garden are adhered to.

He said the camellias will be replanted and the park will be open to the community “for the use and enjoyment of all the people of Mandeville.”

Grover Mouton with Tulane University’s Urban Design Center has worked with the family and prepared designs for the passive garden at the site.

He defines the plans as “simple and elegant.”

“They will be very appropriate for the city of Mandeville and the family,” he said. “In the olden days all gardens were camellias and azaleas.”

He plans garden rooms with different colored azalea and meandering paths with benches where people can sit and read.

He said while the Lakefront is full of movement, this park will be more “contemplative,” where people can come and read or watch the birds.

“It took them a long time to realize the value of the property and by waiting we lost the tree house that was here, but the basic purpose of the donation is being realized,” Susan Kierr said.

She said what Mouton describes is just what she had in mind.