Synopsis: Community or Food Gardens â Native
Synopsis: Community or Food Gardens – Native Garden Restoration of Allenwood Park Native Garden The Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee received a 50/50 grant from NJDEP, Environmental Services Program in the amount of $3,700 many, many years ago for an educational demonstration native garden project along the bike trail at the Allenwood Park on Atlantic Avenue and Ramshorn Drive. This location was chosen for its favorable visibility. The WTEAC had the soil analyzed by the Ruggers Cooperative Extension, Soil Testing Lab in Milltown. The soil was found to be loamy sand and strongly acidic.
The ladybug sign was presented to the Mayor, Committeeman, and WTEAC Chair and two members in 2008 by Jane Nogaki, NJ Environmental Federation Program Coordinator recognizing the garden as being a pesticide free zone.
The WTEAC won three past awards for the original native garden at its inception. The first achievement award was presented by ANJEC for Educational Native Landscaping: Allenwood Park Demonstration Garden. The second award, the James J. Howard Combined Effort award was presented to the WTEAC for the participation of combined efforts of others at the 14th Awards Luncheon in 2004. The third award was from the Monmouth County Park System in 2005. Volunteers, municipal employees, donations, and assistance brought the Educational Native Landscaping Project to fruition.
Since that time, the garden has seriously deteriorated and, thus, required the restoration of bringing the garden back to its original state. Wall Township was awarded the $2,000 Capacity Building Grant funded by PSEG and Sustainable Jersey that enabled the WTEAC/Green Team to restore the garden. Now that the garden has been restored with this grant money, this project is being submitted again in order to be awarded 10 points toward certification. The benefit of this grant not only helps the Wall municipality with potential points toward Sustainable Jersey accreditation, but benefits the community with the added advantage of a beautiful garden to be forever enjoyed.
Native vegetation is compatible to local climate, soil types, and is a habitat for attracting birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects that can interact as natural pest control. Wall’s restoration of the native garden adds beauty to the landscape and promotes its culture of preserving open space. We all know native plants use less water, require less pruning, and are more low maintenance. Wildlife prefers native plants. Native gardens also produce root systems that hold the soil in place and also protect water quality by controlling soil erosion in addition to providing food and habitat for native wildlife.
Our residents and neighboring community are educated about the avoidance of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in keeping it pesticide free. Thus, we save money, time, and energy. As was stated, less water and maintenance will be required if native plants are used. Native plants provide protective cover and food for wild life. In addition, native plants will attract birds and butterflies and help to control annoying bugs and insects. More importantly, by conserving our natural resources, we can avoid non-point source pollution and runoff which is harmful to our watershed and environment. Native plants help to restore and replenish the land which provide for a stable ecosystem.
Volunteers had the advantage of a hands-on planting experience sharing in learning more about cooperation, teamwork, and ownership, while improving their social skills. The volunteer students who assisted with the planting of the garden received community volunteer credit for their endeavors. Because of the grant, the municipality also had experienced, professional assistance, thus, ensuring the utmost beauty of the garden. Without this grant, none of this would have been accomplished. The restoration of the garden helped both the municipality and its residents in being able to enjoy this worthwhile project for many years to come.
The WTEAC/Green Team also is aware that it is far easier to plant a garden, but the maintenance of a garden is the biggest factor in its success. The WTEAC/Green Team needed to restore the garden for various reasons of deterioration; primarily because the plants were unprotected. An in-kind contribution by Public Works to construct a fence now gives protection to the plants since it is heavily trafficked by bicycle riders and other young kids. In addition, Public Works installed an automatic smart controller watering system which will also aid in watering the garden. Both issues were problematic and are now resolved to ensure the success of the beauty of the garden. Native plants can also help lessen the chance of invasive plants spreading. Most of all, a native garden provides an esthetically pleasing beautiful landscape.
It is a model that any community can duplicate. The native garden is mostly maintained by volunteers of Wall High School and from the community. Volunteers assist us for community credit hours which include all levels of school students from Wall and other towns. There are two small parking lots, adjacent to the garden and bike path, for easy vehicle parking. In addition, students are able to ride their bikes to the native garden for assistance to us. Our partners include volunteer students, community residents, municipality support and a professional consultant.
Volunteers assisted in the plantings in conjunction with Barlow's landscaping. Barlow’s Nursery, the major consultant and advisor, completed the plantings and other work that volunteers were unable to conclude. Barlow’s is a historic family homestead horticultural business garden center and landscape design that is committed to providing quality service with their knowledgeable and well-trained staff. It is well known in this area.
Since Public Works provided an in-kind contribution of installing a fence to protect the plantings and an automatic smart control watering system, the WTEAC/Green Team feels that this will ensure that the garden remains intact. Our goal of bringing back the garden to its fullest potential is now met so that the community can enjoy the beauty of native plantings once again,
In addition, Barlow’s added some stone paths to the existing ones. With Steven Barlow at the helm, the $2,000 small grant from PSEG and Sustainable Jersey, Public Work’s in-kind contributions, the volunteers, and the WTEAC/Green Team – this restoration was a definite success.
The rededication of the garden took place on Saturday, September 17, 2016 with Mayor Conte, Deputy Mayor DiRocco, Committeeman Tim Farrell, Former Mayors Clayton and Corson, WTEAC/Green Team members, and other special guests.
Since the native garden is located on municipal property, it is therefore maintained by Public Works and the WTEAC/Green Team with its volunteers.
Before Photo – Fence in disrepair and needed to be removed as it was falling down. Note the empty lot.
Volunteers at Work restoring the Native Garden with plantings.
The Rededication of the garden took place on Saturday, September 17, 2016 with Mayor Conte, Deputy Mayor DiRocco, Committeeman Tim Farrell, Former Mayors Clayton and Corson, WTEAC/Green Team members, and other special guests.
Junior Volunteers were also working at the restoration of the Allenwood Native Garden
One view of the restored Allenwood Native Garden from the parking lot
The ladybug sign was presented to the Mayor, Committeeman, and WTEAC Chair and two members in 2008 by Jane Nogaki, NJ Environmental Federation Program Coordinator recognizing the garden as being a pesticide free zone.
The WTEAC won three past awards for the original native garden at its inception. The first achievement award was presented by ANJEC for Educational Native Landscaping: Allenwood Park Demonstration Garden. The second award, the James J. Howard Combined Effort award was presented to the WTEAC for the participation of combined efforts of others at the 14th Awards Luncheon in 2004. The third award was from the Monmouth County Park System in 2005. Volunteers, municipal employees, donations, and assistance brought the Educational Native Landscaping Project to fruition.
Since that time, the garden has seriously deteriorated and, thus, required the restoration of bringing the garden back to its original state. Wall Township was awarded the $2,000 Capacity Building Grant funded by PSEG and Sustainable Jersey that enabled the WTEAC/Green Team to restore the garden. Now that the garden has been restored with this grant money, this project is being submitted again in order to be awarded 10 points toward certification. The benefit of this grant not only helps the Wall municipality with potential points toward Sustainable Jersey accreditation, but benefits the community with the added advantage of a beautiful garden to be forever enjoyed.
Native vegetation is compatible to local climate, soil types, and is a habitat for attracting birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects that can interact as natural pest control. Wall’s restoration of the native garden adds beauty to the landscape and promotes its culture of preserving open space. We all know native plants use less water, require less pruning, and are more low maintenance. Wildlife prefers native plants. Native gardens also produce root systems that hold the soil in place and also protect water quality by controlling soil erosion in addition to providing food and habitat for native wildlife.
Our residents and neighboring community are educated about the avoidance of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in keeping it pesticide free. Thus, we save money, time, and energy. As was stated, less water and maintenance will be required if native plants are used. Native plants provide protective cover and food for wild life. In addition, native plants will attract birds and butterflies and help to control annoying bugs and insects. More importantly, by conserving our natural resources, we can avoid non-point source pollution and runoff which is harmful to our watershed and environment. Native plants help to restore and replenish the land which provide for a stable ecosystem.
Volunteers had the advantage of a hands-on planting experience sharing in learning more about cooperation, teamwork, and ownership, while improving their social skills. The volunteer students who assisted with the planting of the garden received community volunteer credit for their endeavors. Because of the grant, the municipality also had experienced, professional assistance, thus, ensuring the utmost beauty of the garden. Without this grant, none of this would have been accomplished. The restoration of the garden helped both the municipality and its residents in being able to enjoy this worthwhile project for many years to come.
The WTEAC/Green Team also is aware that it is far easier to plant a garden, but the maintenance of a garden is the biggest factor in its success. The WTEAC/Green Team needed to restore the garden for various reasons of deterioration; primarily because the plants were unprotected. An in-kind contribution by Public Works to construct a fence now gives protection to the plants since it is heavily trafficked by bicycle riders and other young kids. In addition, Public Works installed an automatic smart controller watering system which will also aid in watering the garden. Both issues were problematic and are now resolved to ensure the success of the beauty of the garden. Native plants can also help lessen the chance of invasive plants spreading. Most of all, a native garden provides an esthetically pleasing beautiful landscape.
It is a model that any community can duplicate. The native garden is mostly maintained by volunteers of Wall High School and from the community. Volunteers assist us for community credit hours which include all levels of school students from Wall and other towns. There are two small parking lots, adjacent to the garden and bike path, for easy vehicle parking. In addition, students are able to ride their bikes to the native garden for assistance to us. Our partners include volunteer students, community residents, municipality support and a professional consultant.
Volunteers assisted in the plantings in conjunction with Barlow's landscaping. Barlow’s Nursery, the major consultant and advisor, completed the plantings and other work that volunteers were unable to conclude. Barlow’s is a historic family homestead horticultural business garden center and landscape design that is committed to providing quality service with their knowledgeable and well-trained staff. It is well known in this area.
Since Public Works provided an in-kind contribution of installing a fence to protect the plantings and an automatic smart control watering system, the WTEAC/Green Team feels that this will ensure that the garden remains intact. Our goal of bringing back the garden to its fullest potential is now met so that the community can enjoy the beauty of native plantings once again,
In addition, Barlow’s added some stone paths to the existing ones. With Steven Barlow at the helm, the $2,000 small grant from PSEG and Sustainable Jersey, Public Work’s in-kind contributions, the volunteers, and the WTEAC/Green Team – this restoration was a definite success.
The rededication of the garden took place on Saturday, September 17, 2016 with Mayor Conte, Deputy Mayor DiRocco, Committeeman Tim Farrell, Former Mayors Clayton and Corson, WTEAC/Green Team members, and other special guests.
Since the native garden is located on municipal property, it is therefore maintained by Public Works and the WTEAC/Green Team with its volunteers.
Before Photo – Fence in disrepair and needed to be removed as it was falling down. Note the empty lot.
Volunteers at Work restoring the Native Garden with plantings.
The Rededication of the garden took place on Saturday, September 17, 2016 with Mayor Conte, Deputy Mayor DiRocco, Committeeman Tim Farrell, Former Mayors Clayton and Corson, WTEAC/Green Team members, and other special guests.
Junior Volunteers were also working at the restoration of the Allenwood Native Garden
One view of the restored Allenwood Native Garden from the parking lot
