b'KEEPING UTICA SQUAREAs Utica Square landscapers since 1981, cousins Robert andRonald Henson are two of H&Ps longest-serving employees.BEAUTIFULUtica Square has been a sourceComing from Coweta, Oklahoma, a little FOR FOUR DECADESAND GROWING! U of pride for Tulsans ever since itmore than 25 miles southeast of Tulsa, opened on May 22, 1952. Keeping itneither of the Hensons ever considered a beautiful is also a source of pride forcareer in landscaping. They were not really cousins Robert and Ronald Henson. For 40sure what they wanted to do. Utica Square years, the Hensons have been making suregave them the answer.Utica Square looks as good as the day it welcomed guests for the first time. We knew about Utica Square, but we didnt think we were going to work here, I love Utica Square, Robert said. I loveRobert said. Both of us thought it was that our crew is able to make it look sogoing to be a short-time gig. Our first boss beautiful. It gives us a feeling of pride in ourwas pretty cool. Its been great working work. When the public sees it, they like it. with family. We know what to do and we just get out there and do it.It was supposed to just be a summer job. More than 40 years later, the Henson While the cousins from Coweta may not cousins are still hard at work blazing a trailhave thought of working at Utica Square, of excellence and continuing to do whatRobert and Ronald were joining a Henson they do best. family tradition. Members of the Henson family have worked for Utica Square since It was right after high school, and I wasthe 1960s.just looking to make some money over the summer, Ronald said. My uncle ChesterVisiting the Square for the first time was got me on, mowing and planting flowers.an eye-opener, Robert said. The thing I Soon I was planting trees. It was on-the-jobnoticed was there was a yellow Mercedes training. Benz that had flames on the side of it.Id never seen anything like it.It was not long before Robert, also a recent high school graduate, joined his uncle andBack then it seemed really big to me,cousin. Back in 1981, I was looking for a jobsaid Ronald. It was like a whole town.and Ron told me about an opening. Id never been in landscaping before. Something Keeping Utica Square looking beautifuldifferent. I used to be a brick mason, so Iis rewarding work, but it is not a walk ingot used to working outside. the park.3EnterpriseWinter 2021 EnterpriseWinter 20214'