MPC 1st Anniversary Celebration Planting Native Plants
November 14
Two dozen volunteers of all ages gathered in brisk fall weather today to mark the first anniversary of the Meadowland Park Conservancy (MPC) and to install native plants around the recently renovated Skate House.
Local gardening expert Joy Yagid and National Wildlife Federation naturalist and TV host David Mizejewski led a discussion and Q&A on the importance of native plants, especially in the age of climate change.
“We want to thank Joy and David and all the volunteers who came out today to bring more native plants to Meadowland Park and make our Skate House area even more healthy and beautiful,” said Linda Beck, MPC Vice Chair. “We’re excited to see how well our new plants do when spring rolls around.”
MPC Secretary, Whelan Mahoney, who can be seen many Sunday mornings along the Rahway River (Eastern Branch) with the SOEC Green Team Work Crew encourages community members to volunteer. “Just an hour or two of your time can make a big difference in increasing the biodiversity and improving the vistas in our parks. It’s a great reason to get outside and a great way to take in the ecology of our village.”
MPC Chair Matt Glass also announced the launch of the organization’s first substantial improvement project in the park, the new Gold Star Garden. Working with South Orange Village and local veterans, the MPC will re-imagine the existing Memorial Rock area next to the Pond and will create new landscaping and an intimate performance space which takes advantage of the existing amphitheater slope. The Gold Star Garden will be funded by donations from the public and veteran groups in the area. The best way for people to support the MPC and the Gold Star Garden project is by becoming a member of the organization at www.meadowlandpark.org.
To read the TapInto piece about this event, click here.
Meadowland Park Conservancy thanks the South Orange Village Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the South Orange Environmental Commission for their partnership on this event. For a list of native plants, please visit the sogreenteam.wordpress.com. To become a Meadowland Park Member and support imrpovement efforts, visit www.meadowlandpark.org. MPC ordered Sunday’s native plugs from thepollennation.com. Here’s information about how to purchase David Mizejewski’s book “Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Wildlife To Your Yard.” Here are the relevant social media handles: @MeadowlandParkNJ @SOGreenTeam