Volunteers needed for planting of demonstration garden
Phase I of the project is now wrapping up and the renovation will soon be entering Phase II.
Volunteers needed Jan. 7, 14
–The native plant “Demonstration Garden,” located at the Pavilion on the Lake in the Atascadero Lake Park, is currently undergoing a renovation that will be complete in the spring of 2017. The estimated $60,000 required for the project is being entirely donated by local business owners and community members. Phase I of the project is now wrapping up and the renovation will soon be entering Phase II. Anyone who would like to get involved with this community project is being encouraged to volunteer for planting or to make a donation to the project.
Volunteers to assist with planting are needed on Saturday, Jan. 7 and again on Saturday, Jan. 14, outside the Pavilion on the Lake from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear clothing they won’t mind getting dirty including long pants, work boots and gloves, and to bring drinking water along. Tools, materials and lunch will be provided.
Madrone Landscapes has been working with the City of Atascadero to bring together local contractors, business owners, and community leaders to contribute to the work. The Atascadero Mutual Water Company has partnered with Madrone Landscapes to execute the educational aspects of the garden which will demonstrate water conservation. The current lawn size is being reduced and sprinklers are being replaced with a new and more efficient irrigation system. Volunteers will be replanting the garden amongst the existing mature trees and shrubs.
The demonstration garden before.
The original Demonstration Garden was planted in 1992 by community volunteers and the Atascadero Native Tree Association to showcase how California native plants can be used to create beautiful, water-conserving landscapes. Park visitors and local residents alike will benefit from the educational experience that the newly renovated project will provide. Signage will be installed to provide names about the variety of plants that grow well in our area and future workshops will be held to teach residents about drought-resistant gardens and plants. The educational garden will be featured on www.slowaterwise.com, which showcases a variety of local gardens, gardening tips and ideas.
Phase I of the renovation was made successful by many local business owners who have generously donated time and/or materials to the project. To date, Madrone Landscapes has donated over 400 hours of crew time and equipment for the project design, planning and construction, and Purlieu Landscapes provided the project with 72 hours of crew labor. Kritz Trucking donated decomposed granite and Rossi Transport Service donated composting material. A-1 Concrete is donating a lawn edge curb installation while Peterson U-Cart is donating the ready-mix concrete for the work. Site One Landscape Supply provided all irrigation material, fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide and Cal Portland provided boulders. Viborg Sand and Gravel provided river cobble and Schlegel Trucking provided boulders and soil hauling. Porter Construction came in with a tractor to skip and drag materials, along with A&T Arborists who are providing stump grinding and mulch for both phases of the installation. Chicago Grade Landfill waived the dump fees for two loads of trash. Many local nurseries have pledged to donate plant material for the upcoming planting in January.
For information on how to volunteer to help complete Atascadero’s new Demonstration Garden, contact Daniel Mazawa at Madrone Landscape by email at [email protected]. For more information, please visit the Madrone Landscapes Facebook page at facebook.com/MadroneLandscapes .
