by Mindy Block
Updated: Dec 7, 2021
Many native pollinator gardens have been added to Harborfront Park to increase habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Recently these gardens were being replaced by more and more lawn spaces. Conversations and actions are underway at Village of Port Jefferson to balance biodiversity and aesthetics.
Many native pollinator gardens have been added to Harborfront Park to increase habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Recently these gardens were being replaced by more and more lawn spaces. Conversations and actions are underway at Village of Port Jefferson to balance biodiversity and aesthetics.
Quality Parks wanted to show support and volunteer for the constructive garden "edits," suggested by the Village of Port Jefferson Trustee. But we withdrew when the Village Gardener, who designed, created, and maintained these gardens, couldn't be fully consulted. She was out on workman's compensation. We decided to wait for her hopeful return.
Also at this time, Quality Parks began making inquiries on restarting the Port Jefferson Civic Association for improved local residential feedback on pollinator gardens and other concerns. But by October, I personally received a summons for not cutting my lawn. (Ray warned me of such conflict, being the reason why we never lived in the Central Pine Barrens. He had been its Executive Director.)
I grow native plants for the Port Jefferson Farmers Market, and also maintain demonstration gardens. The photos above, as a street view, reveal the theme of a successional meadow. Thanks to the help of the Village of Port Jefferson staff, it became clear that I was maintaining gardens and not lawns, and would not have to mow everything down. By November, the violation was resolved, and my inclination toward restarting the Port Jefferson Civic Association dissolved.
I am now "editing" my demonstration gardens: revealing a red cedar, pulling out some aggressive native late season flowers and grasses, widening and mowing additional paths, weeding out invasives, and preparing for the spring plantings of ferns. From pollinator gardens to natural landscapes, it's an ongoing balancing act between biodiversity, equality, and aesthetics.
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