By Becky Pinto
Mornings were the best time to get outside and attend to lawn-keeping in the recent warmer-than-average days closing out September. The mosquitoes are in no short supply during the coolest temps of the day, too, so be prepared if you’re headed out!
Yard cleanup at this time of year is, well, complicated! But if you’re like me, yard and garden tasks out there — even messy, laborious ones — still need tackling, so there’s no time like the present!
However, all work and no play makes Beck a dull girl! A break in the routine is the only cure. On Saturday the 25th, my husband and I took a trip out to Blackwell Park. The park and soccer fields are at the corner of North Westenedge Drive and Parkside Avenue, just past Parkside Elementary; the pollinator trail is tucked into the west side of Blackwell Park. Access this link for more detailed directions: columbusparksandrec.com/faq-items/blackwell-park/.
The signs found along the trail list trail sponsors, including Purdue University. The park was opened in 2004, but the signs indicate that the trail is “being established.” The walking trail winds through lots of native Indiana plants. You’ll notice very busy bees, especially on the ragweed. You’ll find two varieties of perennial ragweed native to Indiana — common ragweed (ambrosia artemisiifolia), with a height of 1-4 feet, and giant ragweed (ambrosia trifida), standing 12-18 ft. We were also pleased to note a few picnic tables conveniently placed alongside the walking trail — a nice touch. We’ll be back to claim one of those! The information signs found at the side he trail are professionally done, colorful, kid-friendly and include interesting information on many species you’re likely to spot on the pollinator trail, including information on common Indiana birds.
These efforts may appear small-scale compared to our forefathers’ contributions like those that established state parks and refuges. However, these small efforts, when seen in total, add up to a large impact for the target groups. Preservation efforts, both large and small, are often started the same way: by one passionate person getting the ball rolling starting a ripple effect.
An example of a recent successful effort is the formation of the Columbus Pollinator Committee. Their campaign resulted in Columbus being honored as the first city in Indiana to be designated an official Bee City USA, joining other U.S. cities across 44 states.
Columbus joining the ranks of Bee City USA title owners has made the Blackwell Park pollinator trail possible, and other habitat-enhancing projects on public and private land have begun. As a result of the Bee City USA designation, future city efforts will incorporate pollinator-friendly practices, reduce pesticide use and host pollinator awareness events.
In The Republic article September 17, Eric Riddle, chair of the Columbus Pollinator Committee said, “We look forward to working with city officials and private partners to advance our vision in a way that benefits us all.”
Thanks to Eric and all the sponsors of the Blackwell pollinator garden and trail. Now, monarch butterflies that depend on the planting of milkweed for propagation, and all pollinators depending on nectar-producing plants for survival, will have help in the important business of assuring that Columbus trees and plants thrive.
Thanks to all of the forward-looking project initiators and sponsors for their support and hard work!
Becky Pinto has been a Master Gardener since 2006 and was the Master Gardener newsletter editor from 2006-2019. She’s a Silver Level Master Gardener, based on cumulative volunteer hours served in the program. Her columns typically publish on the second Saturday of each month in The Republic. All opinions expressed are those of the writer. Send comments to [email protected].
