The grassy knoll overlooking the present-day “red bridge” on Route 7 in Great Barrington had different names over the decades. In the early 1900s, the family of mill owner Parley Russell gave the land to the town of Great Barrington. First known as Russell Park, the site was once home to mill housing. In 1986, the park was rededicated to Selectman and Parks Commissioner Charles “Charlie” Castronova. The well-known “GB” shaped hedge was installed by Ward’s Nursery and Jack Seelig, shown in the photograph above.
First-time visitors to town once asked former Congregational Church Pastor Charles Van Ausdall what the “GB” stood for. He replied, “God Bless.”
Additional views of the park are shown and described below.
Correction: In the original article, Leveille wrote that the park was dedicated in 1987. It was dedicated in 1986.
