Now What? Fall ’26 Update

By Cheryl Copeland, Community Design Committee Chair

At the triangular island where Luzerne Ave. and Glen Ross Rd. merge east of 2nd Ave., stepstone paths, a circular patio of permeable pavers, and flowering gardens surrounding our Community Tree have been installed! Lots of bees and butterflies have been checking it out—have you?

There’s even more good news. Thanks to grant funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, as well as generous neighborhood initiatives, including plant sales and the wildly successful North Woodside House Tour in September, the project is estimated to be fully funded through at least Spring 2029!

The installation is a major milestone to be celebrated, but it doesn’t mean that the project is done. So what’s next? There are opportunities for community members of all ages and abilities to lend a hand as stewards of our community space.

Everyone can help keep the space beautiful by remaining on the stone paths when enjoying a stroll through the gardens. This includes our four-legged friends. Please keep dogs from exploring the flower beds.

Signage designers are needed this fall, and workshop organizers this winter. We have design parameters, a budget, and workshop outlines ready for implementation. Our grant terms include a commitment to include educational signage and provide workshops for both neighbors and youth groups at the triangle. Now we need a few individuals to help us meet these requirements.

Last but certainly not least: We need weeders! This will be our greatest ongoing need. The turf that was removed was largely crabgrass with deep roots that could not all be removed. The amended soil applied before planting will support not only the new native plants, but also seeds blown in or dropped by birds and other critters. To fight the weeds, we will have a few large-group work parties throughout the year, and we’ll need some lighter maintenance in between. We’d like to create a list of willing helpers who can be called on as their time allows. Individuals and groups are welcome.

If interested in learning more about how you might help, please contact me at cgcopeland@yahoo.com or subscribe to our listserv communitydesign+subscribe@NorthWoodsideCA.groups.io (subscription to main listserv required). We’d also like to connect with established youth groups that would be interested in working with us to create service opportunities for their members. Together, we can boost the community aspect of the Community Tree Triangle Project!

For more photos showing the transformation of the Community Tree Triangle into a native plant oasis, and the pollinators who have been visiting already, check out this slide show:

Photos by Cheryl Copeland, Todd Johnson, and Jenny Hess