A Walk in the Park (#21)

Although fall officially began in September, it has made its presence known more fully over the past couple of weeks. Our air conditioning is rarely needed now, and we even find ourselves switching over to heat occasionally. The pleasant temperatures and gentle breezes encourage us to spend more time outdoors, while the colorful piles of leaves in our yard call for our attention.

As I walked through the park this week, I wondered about the seasonal tasks required to prepare it for winter. Naturally, I turned to Stephanie Peters for answers.

Stephanie shared that one of her current tasks involves deadheading flowers and cutting back any dead plant matter. Once that’s complete, she will go back through the beds, one at a time, to be sure there are no weeds that might take hold over the winter, and to ensure everything is tidy and ready for the cold months ahead. She is also scattering seeds of native flowers like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and coreopsis, which will bloom beautifully next year.

An important part of fall planning has involved adding new grass to the softball field and other areas. These seeds need to be planted in cooler weather, and the much-needed rain that followed their planting was a welcome answer to prayer. This week, fertilizer was added to the newly seeded areas to promote strong growth in the spring.

With each of these tasks, the park team is not just planning for winter; they are nurturing the park’s future beauty. Each task reflects a commitment to developing and maintaining Northeast Community Park as a vibrant space for the community to enjoy. We welcome this time of change and preparation for all that lies ahead.