Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Garden To Enhance Heisler Park

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—Laguna Beach residents submitted a proposal to the city's recreation committee on July 7 to establish a garden for Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators in Heisler Park. Their purpose was twofold: to enjoy viewing the endangered species flit from plant to plant, and to raise awareness of their plight and its potential effect on human beings.

Why are pollinators so important? Here's the bottom line on pollination from the U.S. Forest Service: "It is an essential ecological survival function. Without pollinators, the human race and all of earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive."

The recreation committee voted unanimously in favor of the proposal, and the future butterfly garden was approved by city manager Shohreh Dupuis on August 10, 2021.

According to landscape architect Jim Dockstader's plan, which was attached to the committee's report to the council, no shrubbery will be removed and existing irrigation is all that will be needed. New native plantings will fill bare areas on the slope, which is located above the lawn and whale sculpture.

The plan calls for the following species that Monarchs find irresistible: yarrow, narrow leaf milkweed, kotolo milkweed, beach primrose, Catalina silverlace, California buckwheat, coffeeberry, Cleveland sage and jade carpet black sage.

Dockstader's rendering indicates the garden will cover about 200 square feet, providing plenty of nectaring opportunities for pollinators.

The Laguna Beach Garden Club will provide the initial milkweed plants and donate educational signage. Such informational signs already exist in Heisler Park along the coast trail, describing ocean mammals and the creatures that inhabit tidepools.

Laguna Beach Garden Club has been active "growing and giving" since 1928, often collaborating with other groups and the city to maintain Heisler's beauty. The rose garden at Monument Point was recently refurbished with 20 new rose bushes.

In another project, the club, the Laguna Beach Beautification Council, and the city came together to protect a 50-year-old Melaleuca tree. Its branches have been used as benches, and so many climbers have scaled its limbs over the decades that its life was in danger. New plantings surrounding its base will grow to deter such interlopers.

If you go to check out the future butterfly garden locale, why not take advantage of the free public art in place at Heisler Park? Ellen Reid's Soundwalk requires a free app download. Then all you have to do is remember your earbuds for a creative walk in the park.