2026 Report for East Rock Park

Year

2026

Number of volunteers

47

Total volunteer hours

229

Number of events

8

Number of trees planted

1

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Bur Oak

Number of shrubs planted

28

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13x inkberry, 5x summersweet, 3x chokecherry, 4x creeping juniper, 3x meadowsweet

Number of perennials planted

68

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13x phlox, 18x assorted ferns, 10x assorted asters, 12x Pennsylvania sedge, 3x goldenrod, 6x bee balm, 3x coreopsis, 3x St. John’s Wort

Yards compost spread

3.00

Yards mulch spread

0.50

Summary

This summer, the Friends of East Rock Park (FERP) experienced their first leadership change in over a decade. The four new leaders, Brandon, Kyle, Jackie and Courtney, organized a great last workday to send off the legendary David Schimchick–the group kept this momentum going throughout the summer. FERP remained focused on the area along Orange Street and continued to transform a desolate slope into a truly remarkable space. After planting thirteen inkberry shrubs along the goatpath, the group was inspired to start making a huge new bed. A few weeks of careful planning and planting means that the new bed looks great and matches the woodland feel that David curated farther down the block. By the end of the summer the “friends” had grown with new volunteers every workday and the space looks incredible!