A 1.9-acre piece of lakefront property that once was home to a gas station and automobile repair shop has been transformed into a serene park and friendship garden, thanks to the generosity of a venerable Hague summer resident.

Margaret “Peggy” Darrin was honored this summer at a reception at the Hague Community Center.  The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) invited the public to the celebration which included the unveiling of the property’s “Peggy’s Point” sign.

“Peggy’s Point” is located just north of Hague beach on property Mrs. Darrin donated to the LGLC in 2005.   According to Judy Shultz, of the Hague Historical Society, Mrs. Darrin bought the property in June of 1989.

In opening remarks, John Macionis, LGLC President said, “We are here to celebrate the generosity and the vision of Margaret Darrin, a member of our community who has done more things to help Lake George…above it, on top of it and underneath it.”

Macionis went on to say, “She does things quietly with kindness and her characteristic passion,” a comment which elicited a large round of applause from the packed community room.

Hague Supervisor, Dan Belden, said, “I think that piece of property is one of the most beautiful parcels on Lake George and on behalf of the town I want to thank you very much.  I know the people in town will enjoy it for years to come.”

Nancy Williams, Executive Director of LGLC said work on the Friendship Garden has been completed over the past few weeks.  According to Williams, as an on-going LGLC project the public is invited to bring a perennial or a small shrub to add to the garden.  “Plants to remember friends, family or moments at the lake can be added to the garden at no charge,” she said.

Williams said the project already has a special meaning for her.  “My brother, whom I saw last summer for the first time in 30 years, is a landscape architect and he and I have gotten together again to work on this project,” she said. Williams said she did a planting to commemorate the reunion with her brother.

The dedication was a reunion of sorts for the Darrin family as well.  Son Drake and his family traveled from Connecticut and son Tim and his family flew in from Napa, Calif. to join in the celebration.  Mrs. Darrin’s third son, David, who resides in Hague during the summer as well, offered a champagne toast to his mother.  “This afternoon the property shall be known from here on and forevermore be officially known as Peggy’s Point,” he said.  “Congratulations, Mom.”

“It is so nice of all of you to be here with me today,” Mrs. Darrin said to the crowd.  “And to all of you support people who made this possible, God bless you,” she added.

Immediately following the celebration at the community center attendees had the opportunity to visit “Peggy’s Point”.  A mulch-covered path meanders toward the Friendship Garden under the cover of native deciduous and pine trees.  LGLC Board member Dr. Douglas Langdon says plans are being readied to install a native plant buffer along the 315 feet of shoreline at the eastern edge of the park.