Update April 25:
This event has been moved to its rain date, April 27 at noon.
Original Story Follows:
The Mattituck Park District and CAST are inviting the community to join in on Planting Day, Saturday, April 26 at noon at Sabat Meadow, the Park District’s property at 1865 Bay Avenue, alongside James Creek. In case of rain, the event will be held on April 27.
With everyone’s help, the Park District transforming a disused ballfield and surrounding turf into a native pollinator meadow with a half-mile walking trail by planting 1,650 plants selected by Mattituck Park District Commissioner Alexandra Getches, who co-founded Living Lands Habitat Garden Design (For more detail on the plants, see the recent article in the park district’s newsletter).
“This effort, postponed from the fall due to the historic drought, is the culmination of many months of re-thinking the property, trying to imagine how it could deliver the most value to residents consistent with the park district’s commitment to the environment,” according to the park district.
“The native pollinator meadow is part of the Mattituck Park District’s commitment to revitalizing and repurposing our properties for our residents’ benefit,” said Park District Chairman Kevin Byrne. “Planting Day is sure to be a very special event. Please join us. Forever after you’ll be able to drive past the meadow and remember helping create it.”
In the fall of 2023, Mattituck Park District commissioners asked its Facilities Manager, Ben Heins, to explore the idea of a dog park at the property. While surveying the property, Parks Commissioner Nick Deegan met renowned industrial designer and Mattituck resident Brad Ascilon.
Mr. Ascilon, an avid tennis player, volunteered to help reimagine the property, which houses the park district’s 50-year old tennis courts.
Mr. Heins then call in Kristin Curtin, Deputy Beachmaster for the Orient-East Marion Park District. Mr. Heins, Mr. Ascilon and Ms. Curtain “drew dozens of plans for the property and determined a dog park just didn’t work,” according to the park district, which has since created a dog park at Aldrich Fields in Laurel, holding its grand opening ceremony in May.
Ms. Curtain suggested the team go back to the drawing board, eventually laying out a hiking trail, berms for plantings, a new location for the tennis courts, a kayak launch and parking.
When Ms. Getches was elected commissioner in 2023, “she offered her expertise to fully flesh out the pollinator garden and trails,” according to the park district. “Alexandra determined a mass planting of established plants would be better than utilizing seeds and small numbers of plantings, and the idea of “Planting Day” was born. Commissioner Getches curated a selection of some 1,650 drought-resistant native plants that will attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.”
CAST will be collecting food and personal care items to stock its pantry — a pantry that serves many District residents — at a table on the property on Planting Day. CAST will also be helping the day succeed by loaning out tools such as shovels to people willing to help plant who don’t have their own tools. (The tools CAST will lend were donations to CAST’s Nutritional Garden and Native Plant Education Garden education programs.)
“CAST’s participation in Planting Day highlights the community nature of the event,” said Ms. Getches. “We urge everyone to support the ecological health of our community by planting with us, and to support our neighbors by stocking CAST’s pantry.”
“Our community continues to experience an urgent and growing need for food assistance,” said Erica Steindl, Interim Executive Director of CAST. “Events like CAST’s Food and Flowers at Planting Day, not only address food insecurity through direct relief, but also engage volunteers in meaningful service. It’s a powerful way to come together and make a real difference for our neighbors in need.”
While CAST welcomes any non-perishable food items (for example, pasta, sauce, jelly), CAST needs personal care items such as diapers, toothbrushes, and soaps.
Register here to be notified if the event is moved to Sunday due to rain.
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