Beaver Ponds Park

Volunteer Leader(s):

Nan Bartow

James Cramer

Rebecca Cramer

Joan Hilliard

Neighborhood: Beaver Hills

Type of Site: Park Friends

Address: intersection of Crescent Street and Fournier Street, New Haven, CT

Intern(s):

Yvonne Trenh (2024)

Avery Eddy (2024)

Annli Nakayama (2023)

Spencer Greenfield (2023)

Joshua De-Anda (2022)

Photo Gallery

Frank and the crew at the Wildflower Boulder Garden!

I'm admiring the view of the pond, park, and ALL the hard work it got to open up this space!

2024 Greenspace Report

This summer, Nan Bartow, Joan Hilliard, and Kim Stoner led the charge at the Beaver Ponds Urban Oasis, and their love and dedication to the space were truly unmistakable. The tireless efforts of a small group of core volunteers transformed the oasis into a stunning showcase of native plants and pollinator species. The oasis alternates between colorful blooms, with Golden Rod, Aster, and Bee Balm each having their time in the limelight. Our focus this summer was primarily on environmental stewardship, such as cutting back overgrown vegetation along the trails, freeing trees and shrubs from invasive bittersweet and honeysuckle vines, and removing other invasive plants like mugwort, phragmites, and multiflora rose. Additionally, we continued to plant native perennials in the wildflower garden, including Coneflower, Tickseed, and Agastache. To protect native growth, we worked each week to make small repairs to keep our furry friends outside of the deer fence. The Beaver Ponds Urban Oasis truly lives up to its name, offering a relaxing and colorful sanctuary in the heart of Beaver Hills.

2024 Accomplishments

3 shrubs planted (2 Female Hollies, 1 Beach Plum)
7 perennials planted (Tickseed, Coneflower, Agastache)
1.0 yards compost spread
2.0 yards mulch spread
11 events
10 volunteers
74 volunteer hours

Annual Reports

Greenspace Log

07/31/2024

This afternoon was a little rainy, and we were expecting a smaller number of volunteers to show up, especially with some on vacation. However, Nan and I were ecstatic to see people trickle in. We started the workday with a group photo, capturing our smiles from ear to ear. We then moved on to watering the plants, especially the recently planted ones, using water from the cart and the giant bucket I (Yvonne) brought. Claire, Kate, Dan, Ari, and other volunteers focused on watering the plants. A short thunderstorm interrupted our efforts, so we took shelter in our cars. Once the storm passed, Nan, Joan, and I added perennials to the pondside garden. Over at the Wildflower Boulder Garden, Frank, Ryan, V, and Yossi cleared so many vines and underbrush that we could see the beautiful pond from that side. The view, enhanced by the light rain and fresh air, was breathtaking. Words cannot describe how special this park and the Friends of Beaver Ponds Park are. It has been my absolute pleasure to work with them this summer and see the park blossom. Come enjoy this special place—take a walk down the beautiful trail, peek at the serene pond, and smell the flowering perennials added over the years. Be on the lookout to join Nan, Joan, the Cramers, Pat, and Frank in caring for this park all year round!

Planting

07/25/2024

With Common Ground youth, we planted 12 perennial flowers, mulched the wildflower bed, removed willows from the swale, and secured part of the deer fence with F&W. Join us this Thursday from 9-11am for our last workday of the season!

Planting

07/24/2024

Despite some being away on trips, the energetic group gathered for our seventh Wednesday Evening at the Park, ready to steward our park! I brought tools and beautiful perennial flowering plants (agastashes, butterfly weed, bee balm, coneflowers) for the Pondside Garden, while the children appreciated the kid-sized tools. At the Children's Garden, Joan, True, and I spread mulch and compost, and Tim watered the flowering plants. Joan added lovely annuals from Pardee Greenhouse, enhancing the vibrant garden. Meanwhile, Ryan Nowak and his wife, V, joined Tim, Claire, Nan, and Pat in the Pondside Garden, removing dead branches, weeds, and planting new perennials. Pat edged the garden, making it stand out beautifully. Eileen and True transported garden debris, and V captured a photo of the hardworking team. In the Wildflower Boulder Garden, Frank, Yossi, Kingsley, Kate, and Daniel removed unwanted vegetation to help the milkweed and bee balm thrive. As evening set in, Nan, Frank, Yossi, and Yvonne collected the tools and planned for next week, with fireflies lighting up Beaver Ponds Park at dusk. Join us next Wednesday at 6 pm for our final workday of the summer in caring for our Beaver Ponds Park!

Planting

Urban Resources Initiative

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