A FALPS project started in the spring of 2017 by volunteers:
- Lance Hansen–Landscaper and project coordinator
- Janet Bumstead—Master Gardener plant consultant
- Eric Rahn—landscaper and plant consultant
The purpose of this project is to create a garden that will attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to an area that lies to the north of the Matthies Grove ticket booth. There will be an emphasis placed on native plants. This project will be on-going.
A soil test, performed by the UConn soiling testing lab, indicated that the soil needed lime and a 5-10-10 fertilizer. This was applied before planting. Wood chips from an existing pile at Peoples were brought in. Eric, Lance, and Janet prepared the soil and planted Asclepias tuberosa, Lupinus, Coreopsis, and Echinacea. These 52 plants were started from seed by Janet. Tree pruning and removal was done around the perimeter of the growing area to open it up. A silky dogwood (Cornus amomum ) shrub, dug from an abandoned farm field, was planted on the south side of the ticket booth. Weeding and watering were done as needed throughout the summer. A larger area is being prepared by Lance and Eric to be planted in the spring of 2018. Plants used are yet to be determined. Lance is cutting a path through a large patch of forsythia to widen the area for a bench. A load of topsoil is on order and will be the first expense covered by FALPS.
As of September 10th, plants are thriving and the garden is progressing nicely.
Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests 
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