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Mono’s pollinator garden officially opened to public

August 16, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Mono officially opened its pollinator garden on Hockley Road to the public, celebrating an environmental project that has been nearly three years in the making.

The official unveiling took place last Sunday (August 12) and saw nearly 80 residents stop by to take in the beautiful weather, snacks and drinks, and most importantly, to see the pollinator garden.

The garden, once an abandoned hayfield, is located on Hockley Road adjacent to the Headwaters Tourism office just off of Highway 10, has over 2200 perennials and trees planted so far. Councillors Sharon Martin and Ralph Manktelow originally brought the garden idea forward in 2015. Volunteers have been working on it since 2016.

“I’m just so proud of the volunteers, and the action we‘ve had from council, and staff, they’ve been so supportive,” said Councillor Martin, adding that the south end of the garden, an the children’s area, still needs to be worked on, but given the short time, she was proud of what’s been accomplished. “In my wildest dreams, I did not imagine this is what we’d have here.”

The garden is designed to help preserve and enhance the natural pollinator environment in the town, and serve as an educational tool to inform people on pollinators. There is now a bench, a kiosk and signage to provide information on pollinators.

“None of this could happen without fundraising,” added Councillor Manktelow, referring to the town, individuals and organizations. He added he hopes this garden can help motivate others to grow flowers and plants for other pollinators.

Earlier this year, Mono was recognized as the 16th Bee City in Canada for its pollinator garden.

Mono Mayor Laura Ryan described the garden as “a labour of love,” and thanked everyone who got behind the project, from town staff, and volunteers spending countless hours working on the garden.

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones was also at the unveiling, and congratulated the town for the efforts to address and actually do something on the issue of pollinators’ population decrease. “That speaks a lot to who you are as a community, how important you value your community and your living space.” 

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