People

Walter “Ranger Mac” McDowney’s legend looms large at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. He helped to bring children from the community into the park as the park’s first Junior Rangers. He was the first African American to win the Samuel Tilden Award for Ranger of the Year. Ranger Mac’s legacy is felt in the park to this day.  

As the founder of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Walter Shaw lived a very interesting life. A disabled veteran who fought to preserve our country, Walter Shaw went from being an amateur gardener to become an entrepreneur and expert horticulturalist.

Helen Fowler was a talented businesswoman and horticulturalist. After taking over her father’s business, Helen Fowler expanded the aquatic garden’s reach traveled the world to find new plants to add to the beauty of the gardens. Helen Fowler transformed Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens into what it is today.