December 18, 2017
The Susquehanna Group, with the leadership of talented new members and the cooperation of the City of Binghamton, has taken over planting, management, and maintenance of parts of Confluence Park, an historic site downtown where the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers meet. The lower portion of the park had been damaged by flooding, and increased weed growth was providing cover for illicit drug activity. The two women who had been volunteering their time to tend the park beds had reached the stage of being unable to continue. Susquehanna Group ExCom members consulted with, and received enthusiastic support from, the park’s landscape designer and the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The expansion and rehabilitation of some of the beds was determined to be feasible, appropriate and desired. Plantings would be limited to two feet in height, native, and helpful to moths/butterflies
New Sierra Club member Sarah Hodder, also a master gardener, volunteered to lead the project. During the growing season 5 to 12 members meet every 2 to 3 weeks to plant, weed, water, build—this of course helps build relationships within the Group. The City provides water, mulch, compost, hoses, consultation. Next year we hope to add signage regarding moths/butterflies.