Earlier this year, the City of Jasper approached Keep Pickens Beautiful to discuss the future of the Peace Park, the pie-shaped green space at the north end of Main Street next to the Kirby-Quinton Cabin and the Old Jail. KPB had installed an Edible Pickens garden behind the cabin, so the idea was to carry the theme to the garden spaces at the park. The KPB Team enthusiastically accepted this new project and collaboration.
The Peace Park had previously housed a marble and water installation designed by Artist in Residence, Eino. Over the years, the installation had fallen into disrepair, and was recently removed by the city due to safety concerns. The area became overgrown with holly bushes, roses, and other invasive and prickly plants. The city cleaned up the park, removed the unfriendly plants, and opened up the space to make it much more inviting.
The Keep Pickens Beautiful staff have spent the past few months measuring the beds, selecting the plants to use, and designing the new layout. The goal was to use plants that need little maintenance once they’re established with a focus on herbs, native plants, and food-producing plants.
On Saturday, May 17th, Keep Pickens Beautiful volunteers, including the new KPB Teen Squad, and City of Jasper workers joined forces and replanted the Peace Park. The planters were filled with fresh top soil, plants and seeds were added, a Peace Path was cut into the grassy area, and wildflowers were seeded along the path. The City purchased the materials and most of the plants. Additional plants were donated by the Pickens High School Ag Department, Kaluna Farm, Riggin Farm, local families, and some were pulled from the adjacent Cabin garden.
Next time you’re in town, stop by the park and check out the new plants. They include: a fig tree, blueberries, sage, lavender, rosemary, marigolds, oregano, yarrow, tomatoes, peppers, kale, swiss chard, clover, wildflowers, sunflowers, chives, onions, thyme, and more, with more to come.
Visit the Keep Pickens Beautiful website to see more photos, to learn about the plants, and to volunteer for future projects. Or stop by their office – the little green cabin at the south end of Main Street – Monday to Friday from 11-3:00 to visit and learn more. www.keeppickensbeautiful.org
