Veterans Park/Kidsburg Pollinator Garden
The Pollinator Garden located in James City County's Veteran's Park/Kidsburg at 3793 Ironbound Road was established in the Spring of 2021 when an approximately 1-acre swath of grass was transformed into a thriving habitat. The garden aims to raise awareness of the current pollinator crisis while educating the community on biodiversity, the local ecosystem, and beneficial landscaping practices they can incorporate in their own yards.
Why build and maintain a Pollinator Garden?
Featuring predominantly Native plants, the garden is a collaborative effort between James City County Parks and Recreation, the Clean County Commission, and Extension Master Gardeners. It features interpretive signs and is a host to different educational opportunities. In 2024, we hosted the first Annual Pollinator Palooza as part of the County’s Longest Day of Play. The family-friendly Palooza featured several craft stations, educational displays, giveaways, and a scavenger hunt focused on attracting and safeguarding our many native Pollinators. Planning for the 2025 Palooza is already underway.
A Proud Community Garden
Aside from being welcoming to both humans and wildlife, the Garden is a recognized Monarch Waystation, registered on the Home-Grown National Park network, and is a 2023 recipient of the County's Arbor Day Award of Excellence and was featured in the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. It has also received several grants, including a generous one from Dominion Energy for garden expansion and improvement. As part of the grant, a Rain Garden was erected as part of an Eagle Scout Project, Troop 414.
Learning Together
While the garden is primarily maintained by Master Gardeners, community members interested in helping are welcome to work alongside Extension Master Gardeners, learning about the plants and pollinators while helping maintain the garden. If you want to learn about planting a native plant pollinator garden or habitat or want to get involved in this garden project, volunteers work in the garden mornings from March through October, as well as at other times when there are major plant installations. Contact us for a visit, tour, or to volunteer in the garden.
