We're excited to share the latest update on our Fire Tower Garden project, expertly crafted by April Philips Design Works and Gardens by Marla Landscape Design.
This vibrant new space at Corica Park is designed to nourish pollinators while providing a serene spot for our community to connect with nature.
Explore the full story of how the design team and Greenway Golf turned this green vision into reality in our latest guest blog, penned by Marla herself.
Greenway Golf Transforms a Vacant Lot into a Thriving Pollinator Garden
BY MARLA LEE
In many cities, neglected urban spaces—such as vacant lots or empty parking areas—can either become eyesores or present opportunities for transformation. Thanks to Greenway Golf’s generous vision and the efforts of dedicated coordinators, one such neglected lot has been transformed into a vibrant pollinator garden.
The Corica Tower garden project not only supports vital pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds but also enhances the local community by boosting biodiversity and fostering a sense of pride and connection. In this post, we’ll explore how Greenway Golf and the garden’s coordinators are making a tangible difference and how their commitment to sustainability is shaping a greener future for all.
A Green Space for Pollinators, A Green Future for Our Community
Pollinator gardens are crucial to ecosystem health. Bees, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds play an essential role in pollinating plants that produce food and support wildlife. Unfortunately, these vital species have been in decline due to environmental and human factors. Greenway Golf and the garden coordinators have addressed this issue by transforming an asphalt lot into a lush, multi-season garden filled with native plants that provide food and shelter for pollinators year-round. From vibrant wildflowers to native shrubs and herbs, every plant has been selected to thrive in our local environment and support a variety of beneficial wildlife. Designed with sustainability in mind, the garden features drought-tolerant plants that require minimal water and maintenance, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides and provides additional benefits to the surrounding neighborhood—reducing runoff, improving air quality, and helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
The Community Benefits of Pollinator Gardens
Pollinator gardens do more than beautify urban spaces—they offer tangible benefits to the community:
Boosting Local Biodiversity: Turning neglected lots into thriving gardens supports pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem. A diverse pollinator population leads to stronger plants and trees, benefiting the entire neighborhood.
Enhancing Community Health: These gardens improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and help with stormwater management. They also provide a peaceful space for residents to relax, connect with nature, and unwind from urban stress.
Promoting Sustainability: By using native plants that require less water and care, the garden promotes eco-friendly landscaping practices. It serves as a model for other local initiatives to embrace sustainable gardening.
Strengthening Community Bonds: The garden offers more than just plants—it’s a space for people to come together. Through educational events and volunteer opportunities, the project fosters a deeper connection among neighbors while raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and sustainable practices.
Corica Tower Garden -- Designed for Pollinators and Humans
Diverse Plant Selection and New Trees: The garden includes a variety of native flowering plants, trees, shrubs, and herbs that bloom at different times, providing a steady food source for pollinators throughout the seasons. Fire Tower Garden Plant Palette for Pollinators
Sensory Garden: Raised beds on the south side of the Tower support sensory experience, of various textures and scents, known to yield mental health benefits. Plant choices include fluffy Artemisia (Wormwood), fuzzy succulents, Lamb’s Ear and scented Coyote Mint and Chocolate cosmos, Mint Geraniums, Rosemary, and Thyme.
Inviting Spaces for Exploration: Raised beds designed to resemble weathered copper stock tanks invite visitors to walk through and explore the space. Seating areas provide a place to relax and enjoy the garden's beauty, while tables offer outdoor gatherings and learning spaces.
Attracting More Wildlife: Future plans for the garden may include small water features, insect hotels, and bird and bat boxes to attract a broader range of wildlife and enhance the interactive experience for visitors.
Educational Outreach Opportunities
Workshops and Events: Once the garden is established, Greenway plans to offer free
workshops on sustainable gardening, native plants, and pollinator conservation.
Youth Involvement: Programs will engage local schools and youth organizations to participate in the project, helping children learn about ecosystems and sustainability while contributing to their community.
Sustainable Garden Care
Maintaining the garden is key to ensuring its long-term health. Greenway Golf will
collaborate with an experienced garden designer to keep the garden flourishing year-round, employing sustainable practices:
Irrigation from On-Site Well Water: While pollinator-friendly plants require less water than traditional garden plants, regular watering and weeding will help them thrive. As with the golf course, all water used will be 100% non-potable.
Seasonal Touch-Ups: A well-maintained garden will continue to attract both visitors and pollinators. Seasonal pruning and weeding will keep the space tidy while preserving habitats for birds and insects.
Low-Maintenance Practices: The use of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds,
along with a no-pesticide approach, ensures a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem.
Greenway Golf’s Commitment to a Greener Future
The pollinator garden is just one example of Greenway Golf’s lasting impact on the community. Their dedication to a more sustainable future is reflected in every phase of the project, from initial funding to ongoing support for maintenance and expansion. Beyond the garden, this initiative raises awareness about the importance of pollinators, encourages community involvement, and sets an example for other businesses to follow. The garden will stand as a legacy, inspiring future green projects throughout the city.
Join the Movement: How You Can Get Involved
Greenway Golf’s support for the pollinator garden is an inspiring example of corporate responsibility. But the success of this project depends on continued community involvement. Together, we can make our community a more vibrant, sustainable place for both people and wildlife.
Here’s how you can help:
Attend Workshops: Learn more about pollinators, sustainable gardening practices, and how to create your own pollinator-friendly spaces at home. Join the Corica Park email list for the latest on upcoming workshops, which are scheduled to start in the spring.
Habitat Support Projects: Reach out to Greenway Golf to explore opportunities for your
community group to help enhance local habitats through projects such as building bat
boxes, creating bee hotels, making clay seed balls, and more.
Spread the Word: Share the garden’s story with neighbors, local businesses, and on social media. The more people who know about this initiative, the greater its impact.