‘Meadows Project’ Moves Forward In Montclair Thanks To Funding Boost

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair History Center has received funding to support the next phase of the “Meadows Project” on its 108-110 Orange Road site, the nonprofit announced Tuesday.

Here’s some background on the project, according to the history center:

“In 2020, initial funding from the Landsberger Foundation allowed the Montclair History Center to begin the transformation of once underutilized space behind the Crane House and Historic YWCA into educational gardens and meadows. The initial work of the project began with the removal of invasive species and weed trees. With continued funding from the Landsberger Foundation in the last two years, the Montclair History Center is now completing cultivation of the space with new plantings that will create educational gardens for the public to enjoy.”

According to a news release from the nonprofit, the long-term goal of the Meadows Project is to develop a series of educational gardens such as a historic dyer’s garden, a native garden, historic cottage/Victorian garden, a pollinator garden, and a small modern-day cutting garden.

The Montclair History Canter is working with Horticulturalist Shelly Waldvogel, who has completed the design plan for the space and is guiding the planting and cultivation phase as the plants take root.

Things are coming along well, the nonprofit says. Between volunteers, youth program participants, the Montclair History Center, and the Montclair Community Farms, a total of over 1,600 foundational plugs were planted in 2022 and 2023.

Meanwhile, the Montclair History Center has forged a partnership with Jersey Cares to work with an engaged team of volunteers with an interest in gardening and supporting nonprofits. There are also plans to install educational signage, so that visitors to their grounds can learn about native planting, the pollinators each plant attracts, and historical information on plants and their use.

“This phase of the Meadows Project is critical in establishing plants so that they can flourish into educational spaces,” the group said, adding that the effort wouldn’t be possible with the support of the Landsberger Foundation.

To learn more about the project and its progress, click here.

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