Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Pollinator Park volunteers cut native plant dead stems at 2250 North Broadway Thursday. Pictured from left, Deb Lindstrom Steinberg, Betty Weier and Joe Gartner go to work near the front of the park.

NEW ULM — About a half dozen volunteers showed up to cut dead stems on native plants at the Pollinator Park, 2250 N. Broadway Thursday.

Joe Gartner used a battery-powered hedge trimmer to cut stems while Deb Lindstrom Steinberg and Betty Weier cut and pulled stems by hand in the park.

“We’re hoping for a super bloom like last July, after we had timely June rain,” said Lindstrom Steinberg. “We got a lot of work done Wednesday. I hope we can finish it today (Thursday).”

The pollinator park features a deer and rabbit fence protecting plants from deer jumping and rabbits from entering the base.

A section of the park has a variety of native plants that bloom at different times of the year, from spring through fall.

The park has been organized to provide habitats and food for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Identification markers and informational plaques dot the park route.

The park helps schools, businesses, and homeowners create their own pollinator gardens.

Future plans include adding a butterfly and/or flower sculpture and educational play area for children to have hands-on contact with nature, and develop funding and marketing options for the park.

The park is on the bike loop. Park grass is cared for by the New Ulm Parks & Recreation Department. The rest of the park is maintained by volunteers.