Thomas Meehan: Father of Philadelphia Parks Hosted by the Valley Forge Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Thursday, October 17, 7:30 pm Presented by Ken LeRoy, Arborist at John B. Ward & Co. Ken LeRoy will share the history of Thomas Meehan, a noted British-born nurseryman, botanist, and author. Thomas Meehan worked at Kew Gardens before moving to Germantown, Philadelphia where he started a nursery. Meehan is considered to be the father of the urban …