Tess Kuracina, who grew up in the Kennett Square area, takes care of the beloved oasis at University of Pennsylvania, the James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, writes Katherine Unger Baillie for Penn Today. 

Kuracina realized that it was her desire to work in gardens professionally after a summer off from undergraduate studies in sculpture at Temple University. 

“I needed a summer job and applied to Longwood because it was close to my parents’ house and I wanted to spend time outside,” she said. “I ended up falling in love with gardening and horticulture and plants.” 

She has since worked at Mt. Cuba Center, Penn’s Morris Arboretum, Barnes Arboretum, and Chanticleer. 

She joined Penn’s Biology Department in February 2020 as a garden supervisor at the park that is otherwise known as the BioPond. 

While working at the park, Kuracina weeds, waters, mulches, and plants. 

“I love bulbs and I love planting them,” she said. “I’ve planted 10 to 12,000 bulbs a year each year I’ve been here.” 

Her goal is to make the park and gardens “more beautiful and special every year.” 

Read more about Tess Kuracina in Penn Today. 

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