Master Naturalists and park representatives were in the park to answer questions about pollinators and native plants as well as provide tours of the Pollinator Park. Visitors were also able to take home free native plants to start their own gardens.

Visitors to the garden included Diane and Duane Lambrecht. Diane Lambrecht said she had a 60-foot by 40-foot garden space to fill and she would like to incorporate native plantings to make her garden useful.

“There is no one I needed to grow fruit or vegetables for,” she said. “So I thought, let’s do something for Mother Earth.”

Naturalist Joe Gartner was able to show Lambrecht a few options kick starting a pollinator garden. Starting plants included Blanket Glowers, Blazing Star, Golden Alexander, Black-eye Susan, Rattlesnake Master and Milkweed.

Master Naturalist Joe Gartner answers questions from Diane Lambrecht on starting a pollinator garden. Gartner and other members of Pollinator Friendly New Ulm were at New Ulm Pollinator Park Saturday to answer question about pollinators and native plants as well as give tours of the garden.

Gartner also assisted Mandy Griebel who was seeking suggestions for her mother’s pollinator garden. Griebel left with a handful of native plants provided by Pollinator Friendly New Ulm members.

“It is fun to learn about,” Griebel said. “It is interesting there are so many plants native to Minnesota.”

Park volunteer Deb Steinberg said most of the giveaway plants were grown from saved seed heads from last year’s pollinators.

Steinberg has been promoting the pollinator park in New Ulm from the beginning. She initially proposed creating the park in 2015. In the 10 years since Steinberg is delighted to see the park’s growth.

She said the Pollinator Park started on less than an acre of land. Now it is 22 acres in size thanks to a recent expansion. Much of the pollinator park is in a flood plain, but it also includes a trail system. The park extends to the paved bike trails, but there are several other hiking trails created by park volunteers.

Julie Gartner leads Diane and Duane Lambrecht on a tour the New Ulm Pollinator Park.

Another big change over the last 10 years is local awareness of the need for pollinators. Pollinator gardens have become much more common.

“Everyone is doing pollinator gardens now,” she said. She said there were pollinators planted by the library, several of the local schools, and many private gardens. Part of the appeal of pollinator gardens is their simplicity.

“It does not have to be complicated,” Steinberg said. “Even if you live in an apartment, you can put a pot of wildflower on a patio and that can help pollinators,” she said.

Looking to the future, Steinberg said she would like to see some play features for kids. Playground equipment that was themed on the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly could be fun and educational. There was also the possibility of some art installations, like a monarch sculpture.

Gartner was also optimistic about Pollinator Park’s future. He said it was a highly visible park because of its location on North Broadway.

New Ulm Pollinator Park volunteer Deb Steinberg (right) shows Yvonne Gage (left) some native pollinator friendly plantings during the National Pollinator Week event host in the park.

“People are noticing the park, and they are noticing it is pretty,” he said.

Gartner said the idea of creating gardens of native plants and pollinators was not always an easy sell.

“It’s a cultural thing that people have to adjust to,” he said. “But we’re helping people to get ready.”

The New Ulm Pollinator Park will be featured on this year’s Brown County Master Gardeners’ Gardenfest Tour held on Thursday, June 26. Gartner will serve as the host of the Pollinator Park during the tour, providing information and answering questions about the garden site.

Mandy Greibel examine some of the native pollinator plants available at New Ulm Pollinator Park. Master Naturalist Joe Gartner answers questions about the different plants.

The New Ulm Pollinator Park has seen recent expansion. Volunteers are working to add addition native plants to the lower levels of the park.

Mandy Griebel takes home a selection of native plants during the National Pollinator Week celebration held at the New Ulm Pollinator Park Saturday. Master Naturalist Joe Garter answered questions about the different plants and gave recommendations to visitors for starting their own pollinator gardens.