April 2007

Parks Celebrate Spring Greening

Spring has sprung—or at least, it's springing—and that means that the landscapes that surround us are rapidly greening up, and it's time to celebrate National Garden Month with the National Gardening Association (NGA).

This month marks the fifth annual celebration of National Garden Month, and for the second year in a row, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a week of events to celebrate spring's arrival, culminating in the NYC GROWS Garden Festival in Union Square Park on April 28. But New York doesn't have to be the lone celebrant of gardens and green spaces. Your organization can get involved too!

For a week beginning April 22, the New York Department of Parks & Recreation will host garden-related events throughout the city, including green markets, planting initiatives, a garden-themed art exhibit, horticulture education, workshops and lectures, children's activities and a variety of garden tours.

"As we celebrate National Garden Month, we are grateful to our community partners who have worked to bring parks, playgrounds, Greenstreets and community gardens to life with millions of new flowers, shrubs and trees," said Mayor Bloomberg.

"What a difference people can make when they see the value of connecting with plants—children grow, communities blossom, urban areas spring to life," said NGA President Mike Metallo. "Gardening in community brings out the cooperative spirit and allows us to share our cultural identities, and this stimulates individual and neighborhood growth. New Yorkers understand this."

But a grand celebration of the benefits of gardening doesn't have to be limited to the Big Apple. Bring the celebration to your neighborhood by offering events and getting local residents in beautifying your parks and open spaces.

Your parks department might not have the resources to bring in nationally renowned garden experts to conduct workshops, as in New York, but you can contact your local extension office and find some master gardeners to help out. Many of these experts would welcome the opportunity to get others involved in their favorite hobby, and they have a wealth of information specific to your locale.

To offer workshops and events that will bring people in droves, find out what the major issues are in your area. What kinds of pests and weeds pose problems? What about teaching people about native plant species or how to attract migrating birds?

You can also host a volunteer day, offering residents a chance to get out and get active. Activities can include picking up trash, planting new trees and gardens in local parks and more.

Getting kids involved is another great idea. "When kids garden, kids grow" is one theme of this year's National Garden Month. As fewer schools offer physical education opportunities, and as kids spend less of their time in active pursuits, getting them involved in gardening is a great way to get them out into nature for some fun and exercise.

To learn more about National Garden Month, visit www.nationalgardenmonth.org. To find out more about events taking place in New York City, see www.nycgrows.org.