by Mark Eberhardt, MSE Landscape Associates
Imagine a public space where borough residents venture to exercise, take a stroll with their family, friends, and loved ones or walk their dog. The space is set in a grassy public park, near the river that is the original origin of the community dating back to 1716. A bridge that links the park to a new apartment complex (River Station), signals the ongoing rebirth and community growth of Downingtown. This space is a hub of activity and a natural place to pass by on your stroll, run or ride; or a place to just take a break and sit on a bench, and take it all in.
Now imagine a vibrant garden, full of native plants, habitat for beneficial insects and birds, and colorful blooms and foliage. Imagine the garden being experiential and interactive, complete with natural boulders and logs and a path to stroll through. It invites you to sit down and immerse yourself into the garden or just stroll through observing the plants and ecosystem that comes with it. We are very excited to announce that this has now become reality.
The location of Johnsontown Park was a great dandidate. The new bridge that links the park to River Station was chosen as the backdrop and setting. The design was inspired by the backdrop of the bridge and the new apartments, transitioning from the grassy and leafy park. The targeted area was dominated by turf and some existing river birches, installed by the developer.
In order to fund the project, several members of ROR researched different opportunities for grants, wrote the proposals, and were awarded the funds needed to purchase the plants and fencing materials needed for the project and to create the garden itself. We then studied the area and developed the design via the Landscape Design Build/Project Management company, MSE Landscape Associates.
There were many design criteria to meet.
– The area is in a public space
– The area is prone to periodic flooding
– The area is mostly in full sun
– The area is accessed by several existing trails
– The use of strictly native species for the garden
– The grant funders mandate straight species only (no cultivars)
– There will be herbivory (deer and animal browsing)
– The project will be completed through volunteer effort and with the help of Downingtown Public Works and the Downingtown Shade Tree Commission (DSTC)
The design was established in sequence with the grant applications to fit within the budget we were anticipating. While MSE was the principal designer of the project, it was a team effort within the ROR membership, as many ideas and concepts were shared and then developed within the plan.
Once the plan was completed, a scope of work, which outlines the actual plant list and quantities, and installation strategies was generated. The following steps then took place.
1. Layout the area and remove the existing vegetation. We chose a non-chemical approach, which meant the use of a smothering method. We gathered cardboard and arranged for Public Works to deliver several truckloads of decomposed leaf mulch from leaves collected over the years in the Borough. This needed to be done as far in advance of the planting as possible to allow the smothering of the turf to take place. A large group of volunteers gathered a few times in early March, the bed area was laid out and the cardboard and leaf mulch were applied.
2. The plant lists were established and ordered. This meant working with different suppliers and setting up accounts with the help of the Downingtown Borough accounting staff and other members of ROR and the DSTC.
3. The design called for boulders and logs within the landscape. These elements add important ecosystem function to the pollinator garden. The boulders provide natural aesthetics as well as a place for birds and insects to touch down and rest their wings and sun themselves. The logs, as they rot, wildlife habitat in the landscape. We worked with Public Works to deliver the boulders from their supply yard and met with them to select the boulders we liked. They shipped them to the site and worked with the designer on placing them using large equipment. Cut up logs were dropped off with the intention that they would be incorporated into the garden during the planting mobilization.
4. We observed that invasive Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) was planted under the bridge, which needed to be removed as it would continue to spread and take over the garden. We spent a few hours digging out emerging young native Groundsel (Packera aurea) plants at a ROR member’s garden and then had a planting mobilization tearing out the Pachysandra, removing the excess mulch, and then installing the native Packera plugs. We watered diligently for a few weeks, and the plugs took root.
5. A date of May 17 was established for the first planting date. Leading up to the date, we organized three separate plant pick ups at different nurseries. Different members of ROR volunteered their time to do the pick ups, and Public Works picked up the largest order. We had a weed outbreak in the garden ahead of time, so we organized an effort to clean up the area prior to the planting day. In addition, public works delivered the wood chips to the site for the path. Flags were placed in the ground for the individual plant species groupings, so that layout could occur quickly.
6. Planting day arrived. The weather started out cloudy and rainy, but morphed into a beautiful day as the 30+ volunteers arrived. Members of ROR arrived early to transport the plants to the site and then lay them out. The cut up logs were put into place; several of them simulated a fallen tree while other logs were used to form seats along the trail. The wood chips for the path had been delivered by Public Works, and all was in readiness for the volunteers to start working. We had a great volunteer turnout. We presented the game plan and goals for the day and broke up into groups. There was a large planting group that drilled holes with augers for the plugs, as well as using shovels, etc. for the shrubs. The other group put down cardboard for the walkway, and then proceeded to use the chips for the walk surface. The work went quickly and efficiently. Once the plants were in and the walk was done, we watered all plants thoroughly. By 12:00 the first phase of the garden was completed. The second phase, in a nearby traingular area, was planted with a pollinator kit from the Xerces Society, and on May 31st, a second group of volunteers gathered to plant over 400 plugs and a Sweetbay magnolia.
7. Fencing and Pollinator Garden: One of the most common problems we now face in the landscape is herbivory (ecological interaction where animals consume plants). We determined that we would be proactive and install an innocuous fence. Step in posts were utilized along with a 4’ galvanized mesh fence to keep the majority of the animals away. We left several access points (makeshift gates) to allow for routine management and watering access. The fence will remain until spring 2026.
8. Management: Now that the garden is in, the landscape management will start. We will need to keep up with initial weed pressure.
As the beneficial plants mature, they will begin to outcompete the weeds, but until then it is critical to control them. We also are working with Public Works to keep up with watering the sensitive young plants. Combined with awareness of existing weather patterns, it is critical to provide enough water and intermittent drying to help get the tender young plugs off to a good start. We will also carefully monitor plant growth and perform periodic cut backs and dead heading. The proper management of a pollinator garden is essential to its long-term success and sustainability.
We cordially invite you to come see the garden and watch it grow. Part of the joy of a new landscape is watching it develop. Stroll along the path and enjoy.
We also want to express our gratitude and thanks to all of the volunteers that helped us every step along the way, Downingtown Borough Public Works (couldn’t have done this without them) and the Downingtown Borough Accounting Division to help us with the money flow. We also thank our funders including Pennsylvania Native Plant Society, the Xerces Society, Downingtown Shade Tree Commission, Texas Roadhouse donation, and donations from the community from our past events that also helped to pay for the installation, thank you all!
