Green Space Project
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Mount Kisco Public Library Green Space Project
Through the joint efforts of the Hopp Grounds Garden Club and The Foundation for the Mount Kisco Public Library, the Mount Kisco Library Green Space Project has come to fruition and is progressing.
The mission of the Mount Kisco Library Green Space Project is to create and expand a greenway that will surround the new public Library and increase the beauty and natural habitat located in the center of Mount Kisco. This green space will be walkable, enhance wildlife habitat, serve to educate the public about birds, native plants and pollinators, and help prevent water pollution from entering the Branch Brook. By so doing, it creates a very special place as the heart and soul of the community.
The original Library Butterfly Garden was built in 2004. That garden transformed the area -- butterflies, goldfinch, rabbits and other wildlife returned. The change brought people to the Library and its surrounding area; young couples and families picnicked near the flowers. Troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts walked the paths between the flowers and observed the wildlife. Children came into the Library with special caterpillars they had found, looking for books or web sites to identify them. The garden inspired and continues to inspire a real love of nature, the creation of a beautiful environment surrounding the new Library and something that was created by and for all of the people of Mount Kisco. This is the magical experience that was hoped for.
At the urging of Youth Services Librarian, Deirdre Johnson, Bedford Audubon's Nannette Orr and Jim Norgren redesigned an expanded garden plan proposing to revegetate the area from the library to the Branch Brook adding an Experiential Garden for people with special needs at the center. The vision of a community green space has since brought together many members of the community and the support of the Village Manager, Jim Palmer. Early in 2010, several donations were secured, special thanks going to the Mt. Kisco Rotary Club, A&J Home Care, Bedford Audubon and of course, the Foundation for the Mt. Kisco Public Library, allowing the rebirth of the Butterfly Garden in the spring of 2010.
Many thanks go to those community leaders who were instrumental in this first step. The Highway Department under Peter Scala supplied the machine power and soil amendments, while several volunteers from Neighborhood Link prepared the soil. My Second Home supplied plants grown from seeds and then nurtured them until planting by horticulture therapist, Mimi Edelman who then supervised the planting of the Butterfly Garden. Maintenance and watering has been contributed by Willy, the Village Hall custodian.
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Hopp Ground Garden Club, Ability Gardeners, and the Butterfly Garden
Click on images above to enlarge
The second stage of the Green Space Project is to construct raised gardens and surrounding patios which can be maintained by people who love to garden but have physical limitations. To raise funds for the construction of these accessible gardens, Hopp Ground Garden Club with the support of the Foundation of the Mount Kisco Public Library conducted a fund raiser in the spring of 2011 raising $5000. As a culminating and celebratory event, Hopp Ground Garden Club hosted a "Garden Party", Sunday, April 10, 2011 in the Community Room of the Mount Kisco Library. The raised gardens, approved by the Village of Mount Kisco, is now awaiting final DEP and DEC approval. My Second Home clients will also participate in programs made possible by the accessibility and beauty of these gardens.
Meanwhile, the Butterfly Garden has been providing a myriad of colors in plant life and butterflies for public enjoyment. In the spring, the Ability Gardeners filled in open spots in the Butterfly Garden with plants grown over the winter from seed or cuttings. Throughout the summer, the Gardeners continued to weed and tend the eye-catching gardens surrounding the Mount Kisco Public Library including the large Rain Garden that greets people who enter the library property from Mt. Kisco’s shoppers’ parking lot. Lastly, again with the financial support of The Library Foundation, the group is working on improving the entry garden on the east side of the Library by planting small shrubs and perennials which will beautify the entrance to the garden for many seasons to come.
The Foundation for The Mount Kisco Public Library looks forward to working with other local organizations in support of the new Mount Kisco Public Library.
Please contact the Foundation through its website or call Anthony Monteleone at 914-666-2118 or Carol Steiner at 914-241-0233.
