There’s something new in Central Park! EAC Plants a New Garden for Earth Day!
On Earth Day, the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) planted a Native American Recognition Garden. Members of EAC, some family members, and Penn State Master Gardeners worked for several hours planting 826 plant plugs.
EAC is very grateful for all the help from Parks Superintendent Chris Mason and his able, enthusiastic crew! They removed grass, graded the site, and amended the soil with coarse sand and gravel. This creates a lean environment and allows for excellent drainage—both characteristics appropriate for the selected plants. A large turtle-shaped boulder was placed at the top of the site.
The garden has exclusively native plants, all used by Native peoples. Some plants were used as food, some as medicine, some for dyes. Trees and shrubs were utilized for furniture, building materials, arrows, or in cooking. Some of the matrix plants installed included: yarrow, bee balm, baptisia and rattle snake master. All are plants that have high resistance to both deer and rabbits. For the full list of plants, please click here.
This part of Central Park has become a showcase for various environmental efforts. The new garden compliments the work being done to restore native plantings (and remove non-natives) from the Basin area. And that work enhances the multi-award-winning Native Plant Demonstration Garden.
Signage and informational materials are the next step.
EAC invites you all to come and see the new addition. Let’s celebrate native plants and Native Americans!
Arbor Day 2023, brought more planting in Central Park!
The Township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) member Chad Clem installed native Eastern Red Cedars in the brand-new Native American Recognition Garden, adding another important native plant. It also provides vertical interest to the new garden.
Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana, was used by Native American as ceremonial incense, insect repellant, treatment for rheumatism and many other uses. This Juniper is a more compact selection called ‘Idyllwild’ that was chose for its smaller mature size. This Cedar is beneficial to wildlife, particularly songbirds. You might consider adding one to your property.
Many thanks to Chad and his son Ronan for their fine efforts!
