EXPLORE NATURE
I f you have an interest in gardening but you don’t have the space, sign up for a Park District garden plot in spring of 2023. Our plots are open from May to mid-October. Hand-held watering containers need to be brought and used by gardeners as hoses are not permitted. New gardeners are assigned a plot based on availability. If you're interested in volunteering as a Garden Plot Ambassador for the 2023 Garden Plot season, contact rkrzyszkowski@ napervilleparks.org
What Is At The Garden Plots? Nature Discovery Area Over the past several years, the Central Maintenance Division of the Parks Department, in conjunction with the expertise of trained volunteers and interested individuals or groups like Eagle Scouts, have converted several outdoor areas into demonstration gardens. These natural areas cover approximately one acre of land that was unused, undeveloped or had been a gravel parking lot. The gardens highlight the native plants found in Illinois’ prairies, wetlands, woodlands and savannas. Outdoor Natural Area include the following elements: • Pollinator Gardens, within the parking lot, on the south side of the Garden Plots and along the fence line, were funded by a grant obtained by the park district. • Small Fruit Garden of trees and vines extends through the center of the parking lot. • Idea Gardens (see below) • Four Garden Plots, which are tended by Master Gardeners, produce fruits and vegetables that are donated to a local food pantry, along with any excess produce from other gardeners' plots. • Fruit Tree Guild , a perennial, edible, sustainable garden designed around a fruit tree, is maintained by the Resiliency Institute. • Woodland Garden is comprised of approximately 70 tree and shrub species, many of which are native to this area.
& Idea Gardens
GARDEN PLOT REGISTRATION DATES: RESIDENTS begins Tuesday, March 21 at 8:30 am NONRESIDENTS begins Thursday, March 23 at 8:30 am Register online at apm.activecommunities.com/ napervilleparks or by phone at 630-848-5000. Registration can also take place, in-person, at the ARRCC and Fort Hill Activity Center. Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., 2nd floor Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-5:00 pm Fort Hill Activity Center 20 Fort Hill Drive. Mon-Fri, 5:30 am-9:00 pm Sat/Sun, 8:30 am-5:00 pm GARDEN PLOT APPROXIMATE SIZES: FULL: 18’ X 29’ • HALF: 18’ X 14.5’ • RAISED: 20' X 4' GARDEN PLOT FEES:
Visit the Idea Gardens located at the north end of the garden plots to learn more about native plants and habitats, composting and more. Educational signs are found throughout the gardens. Specialty gardens include a sensory garden, rain garden, native prairie, savanna
woodland, and a sedge meadow. A demonstration compost system is set up in this area along with picnic tables and a mini labyrinth to enjoy.
FULL HALF RAISED
RESIDENT
$53 $33
$31
NONRESIDENT SENIOR RESIDENT
$75 $45 $44
The Idea Gardens can be visited during regular park hours. For more information visit napervilleparks. org/gardenplots .
$38 $27 $62 $37
$25 $35
SENIOR NONRESIDENT
Click here to search by age and location •• Indicates School District Residents pay resident rates
64 SPRING 2023
napervilleparks.org
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