In 1888 , Thomas Meehan rediscovered the Pink Dogwood '' Cornus florida '' var. '' rubra '' , which was thought to be extinct , along the banks of the Wissahickon Creek , which is now part of Philadelphia municipal park system .
In 1888 , Thomas Meehan rediscovered the Pink Dogwood , which was thought to be extinct . 
 He spotted '' Cornus florida '' var. '' rubra '' along the banks of the Wissahickon Creek , which is now part of Philadelphia municipal park system .