Native Garden for J. Hood Wright Park

Hello Friends and Neighbors-

We are fundraising for an exciting new garden in our beloved J. Hood Wright Park.  Through NYC Parks, a site was selected on the north side of the park for a native garden.  It will be located at the foot of the north ramp entrance into the park and will encompass the Deodar Cedar, White Pine, and connect to an existing nearby garden.  The donated funds will go towards purchasing plant species native to New York and the Northeastern United States.  The gardenbed is a large area and will require many plants to get the amount of biodiversity and density desired.  We are working with NYC Parks to purchase the appropriate plants for this site.  For this project, we are fiscally sponsored by the City Parks Foundation.  All donations throught the IOBY website are tax deductible, please see 'tax information' for IOBY below.

• Beginning after the frost leaves....Spring 2021, the soil will be cultivated and mulched for planting.
• The garden site will be fenced in.
• Funds raised for the garden will be used by NYC Parks to puchase native plant species in April.
• We hope to have NYC Parks begin planting by May 1st, 2021.

The garden will help bring native species into the park.  We hope to foster an increase in awareness and respect for the natural environment coexisting with our urban context.  

The green space will serve as a resource for local and migratory visitors.  Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. Unlike natives, common horticultural plants do not provide the same nutritional value for their visitors and sometimes require insect pest control to survive.

Here are some advantages of using native plants from the US Department of Agriculture:

• Native plants do not require fertilizers and require fewer pesticides than lawns.
• Native plants require less water than lawns and help prevent erosion.
  The deep root systems of many native plants increase the soil's capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff to our storm sewers.
• Native plants help reduce air pollution:
  Native plantscapes do not require mowing. Excessive carbon from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming. Native plants sequester, or remove, carbon from the air. 
• Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife.
• Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage.