A Community Garden for Pollinators, People, and Place

Garden Arch.webP — The Pollinator Garden Arch
Entrance

At the corner of Partition and Montross Streets, a once-vacant lot has been transformed into a vibrant habitat for butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators. Created in the fall of 2021 by the Saugerties Village Tree Commission, the Pollinator Garden reflects the community's commitment to biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and the creation of beautiful public spaces.

Generously donated to the Village by the McKenney family, the former bus stop was reimagined as a "butterfly stop" and became part of both the Pollinator Pathway and the Monarch Waystation Program—a national network of gardens dedicated to supporting native pollinators and the habitats they depend on.

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting the plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife. The Saugerties Village Pollinator Garden was designed to:

Support native pollinators and local biodiversity
Provide habitat and food sources throughout the growing season
Educate residents about native plants and ecological conservation
Beautify the Village while strengthening connections to nature

The garden features a diverse collection of native perennials, shrubs, and trees selected to provide continuous blooms from spring through fall, ensuring a reliable source of nectar and pollen for pollinating species.

A Living Community Project

The Pollinator Garden is more than a beautiful landscape—it is part of an ongoing community effort to transform underused urban spaces into thriving ecological habitats.

Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the garden through watering, weeding, planting, and seasonal care. Their dedication helps ensure that this public space continues to flourish for both wildlife and visitors.

In recognition of the McKenney family's generosity, the site was named the Thomas Francis McKenney and Gary Bruce McKenney Memorial Pollinator Garden.

Acknowledgments

The Saugerties Village Tree Commission extends sincere gratitude to:

Mayor William Murphy and the Village of Saugerties Board of Trustees
John Stafford and Rosemarie Brackett
The many community volunteers who helped establish and maintain the garden
Volunteers from Sawyer Savings Bank
The Saugerties Village Department of Public Works

Their support, dedication, and hard work made this project possible.

Garden Donors

We are deeply grateful to the individuals, organizations, and businesses whose contributions helped create and sustain the garden:

Sawyer Savings Bank
The Kiwanis Club of Saugerties
Sawyer Motors
The Estate of Diana Bryan and Bob Pearl
Grist Mill Real Estate
Shout Out Saugerties
Adams Fairacre Farms
Augustine Nursery
Saugerties Antique Center
Signature Tile and Glass
Anthony Manella

Contributing Artists

Special thanks to the artists who generously donated their work in support of the garden:

Angie Gaffney-Smith
Nancy Campbell
Rae Stang
Diana Bryan

Get Involved

Volunteer at the Pollinator Garden.

Help us care for this important community space and support local pollinators.

When: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Corner of Partition and Montross Streets, Saugerties

Whether you have years of gardening experience or simply want to lend a hand, there is always work to be done and everyone is welcome.

For more information: Text to 212-245-2355

Join us and help keep the Thomas Francis McKenney and Gary Bruce McKenney Memorial Pollinator Garden growing for future generations.

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