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www.madisonmessengernews.com March 16, 2025 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 9Pollinator event to celebrate the spring opening of Roberts PassBy Shelley Straits CostelloHave you ever imagined yourself surroundedby sunshine glimmering through atreetop canopy, while the soft hum of beesand the flutter of stained-glass butterflywings enliven a prairie filled with flowers?Believe it or not, such a place exists inLondon, not far off the beaten path–literally.One only needs to bicycle or walk theRails-to-Trails path to the Roberts PassTrailhead to experience the CommunityMural Park Native Pollinator Garden.Located at 204 Maple Street in London,this park was initiated by the Friends of MadisonCounty Parks and Trails and features a seriesof London-themed murals painted on theback wall of MATCO Services.The park also incorporates a native pollinatorgarden, planted and maintained bythe Madison County Master Gardener Volunteers.According to the MGVs, the gardenwas designed as an environmentally sustainablegreen space to welcome visitors andcommunity members using the trail.Simply put, this type of garden uses nativeplants to attract pollinators like beesand butterflies, which have faced significantpopulation declines in recent years. Installinga native pollinator garden has manyadvantages. One is water conservation: onceestablished, native plants develop deep rootsystems and require less watering.These root systems also help prevent soilerosion and contribute to overall soil health.Additionally, native plants provide food andshelter for local wildlife–such as pollinators,birds, and small mammals–while requiringminimal maintenance and preserving localbiodiversity, according to USDA.gov.Master Gardener Volunteer MichelleBouquet explained, “The habitat demonstratesthe use of native perennials to attractdiverse pollinators and promote aneco-friendly environment. The CommunityMural Park incorporates three themed education/demonstrationareas with plants thatdirectly attract Specialist Bees, BumbleBees, and Butterflies and Moths.”In 2023, approximately 2,400 nativeplant plugs and a dry riverbed, or bioswale,for runoff water were installed, according toBouquet.Visitors will recognize native speciessuch as Milkweed, Coneflower, RattlesnakeMaster, Smooth Blue Aster, New EnglandAster, Rough Blazing Star, and Spotted BeeBalm, to name a few.On April 26, the Friends of MadisonCounty Parks and Trails, along with theMadison County Master Gardener Volunteers,will celebrate Opening Day for Trailswith events from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. at the SeniorCenter and the Community Mural ParkNative Pollinator Garden.MGVs will offer presentations every halfhour at the garden on topics such as "WhyNative Plants," "Designing a PollinatorHabitat," "Plant-by-Numbers," and "Gettingin the Weeds," according to Bouquet.The garden has already had a positive impacton trail users and community members.“It is a beautiful and serene place for me asa gardener. Establishing a garden that sizetakes quite a bit of weeding and cleaning upto keep it looking so beautiful, but it doesn’treally feel like work,” said Cathy Brockman,Madison County Master Gardener Volunteerco-president.“It feels like a great opportunity to enjoythe outdoors, helpthe community, andfind a bit of peacethere. This is a greatway to connect withfolks in our community,”Brockmanadded.By 2024, the gardentransitioned intoa teaching anddemonstration area,offering presentationsand activitiesfor visitors to identifyboth plant andbee populations, accordingto Bouquet.Executive Directorof Friends ofMadison CountyParks & Trails,Wayne Roberts, commented after the park'sinstallation: “What you folks have developed–withinan easy walk from MapleStreet or the Roberts Pass Trailhead–brings an interesting display of native flowersto attract a new group of people to thetrail, even those who do not use a bike. Thisis in addition to all those who are interestedin the murals and what they represent.”Abundant Thanksto Our FarmersINTERSTATE EQUIPMENT, INC.& GREEN FARM, LLC919 OH-56 SW, LONDON, OH 43140614-879-7731 • 1-800-336-7731trigreeneq@aol.com • trigreeneq.comJudy Green, Connie Ballah Owners“A NAME YOU CAN TRUST”BOYD GARAGE DOORS & OPENERSOpening Doors Since 1992RESIDENTIALCOMMERCIALSALES & SERVICE OF ALL DOORS & OPENERSDO IT YOURSELF PACKAGESSERVING MADISON & ALL SURROUNDING COUNTIESEMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLEGreat Service & Fair PricingCALL FOR FREE ESTIMATES ONNEW & REPLACEMENT DOORS.(740) 852-2483
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