Sharpe Park and Bird Sanctuary Restoration

In partnership with the Lower Merion Township Parks Supervisor Donna Heller, and Steve Wright Director of Horticulture/Curator of Plant Collections at Jenkins Arboretum, The Garden Workers propose to improve and restore the park as a bird sanctuary by removing invasive and non-native plants to extent possible, improving soil, and developing a food web for birds by planting native host plants. We will keep native plants already established, propagate them, and plant native herbaceous plants, shrubs, ground

covers, and trees. We will start with small designed areas to allow volunteers and visitors to see a tangible change and to restore the birds’ habitat. Plants will identified with botanical and common names. One primary goal is to increase visitors knowledge about the importance of restoring native habitats by inviting groups to participate in volunteer opportunities with educational components, and through signage in the park. This will be a multi-year project requiring ongoing restoration and maintenance. The Haverford Civic Association, and Lower Merion division of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tenders will continue volunteering. We will also ask businesses, scout troops, and schools to participate.