Staff from Chester County’s Department of Facilities, Keep Chester County Beautiful, the county’s Go Green employee sustainability committee, and the West Chester Green Team joined Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe in breaking ground on a new pollinator garden at the Chester County Justice Center. 

The groundbreaking event, which took place on Earth Day, April 22, is the first step in preparing a garden to be planted with over 400 native perennials, trees, and shrubs in early May.

Commenting on the groundbreaking, the Commissioners said in a statement, “We are pleased to set aside County-owned land right in the heart of downtown West Chester that will bolster native bee and butterfly populations and promote a more resilient, sustainable, and vibrant natural environment.  

“Members of the West Chester Green Team approached us to consider creating a pollinator garden in front of the Justice Center, and it is wonderful to see their idea come to fruition – with the help of our County Facilities Department and Keep Chester County Beautiful staff.” 

“The Chester County Climate Action Plan calls for the County to develop more sustainable landscaping practices for our facilities, and this pollinator garden is a great example of how we’re working toward that goal, “said Chester County sustainability director Rachael Griffith. “The finished garden will have signage so anyone passing by the Justice Center can learn about the plants in the garden, the pollinators they attract, and the importance of providing habitat for pollinating species, even within urban areas like West Chester.” 

Chris Pugliese, a landscape architect and vice president of the West Chester Green Team, said, “The collaboration between the West Chester Green Team and Chester County on the Justice Center garden is a wonderful opportunity to transform a barren lawn into a dynamic pollinator garden. We could not ask for a more prominent location than the Justice Center to create such a garden.”

The County’s Go Green committee said in a statement, “Go Green supports all endeavors to facilitate the increase of native plants in our ecosystem so that native species can thrive.”

Volunteers interested in supporting the planting of the new pollinator garden are invited to join county staff on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W. Market St., West Chester.  

“We want this garden to be appreciated and valued by the community and welcome everyone who wants to help plant and mulch the pollinator garden on May 3,” added Rachael Griffith. 

Volunteers can sign up at Keep Chester County Beautiful Pollinator Garden Planting.