What’s Happening at Gateway Park?

Phase 1 of the Gateway Park cleanup consisted of clearing out weeds and installing mulch. Image courtesy of Charon Nogues

It may not look like much right now, but Gateway Park, at the corner of Mack and Alter, is going to get an extreme makeover.

For years dedicated volunteers have tried to keep that patch of earth free of weeds and full of flowers and perennials. But without an easy and reliable water source, the weeds have always thrived but the other plants haven’t. Recognizing that Mother Nature always has the last word, we’ve resolved to start working with her, rather than against her, by using native plants and organic gardening techniques.

Recently a group of volunteers – purposely kept small in order to maintain social distancing – removed and saved the non-native plants from the circular bed until they can get new homes. They also cut down the weeds and covered the bed with biodegradable, non-toxic cardboard and mulch to slowly kill the weeds. By early spring, the soil should be well prepared for the first stage of the park’s makeover.

With the help of a master gardener with almost 30 years of experience, MorningSide Community Organization will be creating a garden filled only with drought-resistant plants and flowers native to Michigan. These are the plants with the greatest chance of surviving with whatever rain we get, and they’re also the ones that attract native pollinating insects and birds.

If you’d like to be a part of reclaiming this pocket park or helping with other beautification projects throughout MorningSide, please contact Jackie Grant at: president.morningside@gmail.com or (313) 720-3904.