Botanist William Bartram, in noting the Flame Azalea in his travels of 1773, wrote, "...the clusters of the blossoms cover the shrubs in such incredible profusion on the hill sides, that suddenly opening to view from dark shades, we are alarmed with the apprehension of the hill being set on fire." The shrub subsequently caused a stir and may well be the first cause in the establishment of the park.