By Megan Hart, Park Biologist
Painesville Township Park has undergone quite a change over the past year. One of the changes you may have noticed is the addition of a series of wildflower meadows. These meadows provide crucial wildlife habitat that had previously been missing from the park.
When talking over plans for the park, several areas were set aside for meadow conversions. Over a period of several months in early 2024, the area was prepared by removing preexisting vegetation to create a blank slate. Seed mixes were created for the soil conditions at the park and were seeded in February 2024 to help mimic natural seed germination.
Ironweed
Meadow conversions are an important piece to make Painesville Township Park more wildlife friendly. Plant species chosen for the park were geared toward promoting a wide variety of wildlife. Late summer and fall blooming species like New England aster and tickseed sunflower were planted to help fuel monarchs on their southward migration. Plants with nutrient-dense seeds like wild senna and partridge pea were chosen to help provide food for seed-eating wildlife in the fall and winter months. A variety of wildflowers in different colors were planted to attract a variety of pollinators. The insects that are attracted to the meadows will then help to feed other wildlife.
Butterfly milkweed
More meadow plantings took place in early 2025:
Painesville Township Park had more meadow plots planted to help expand the habitat. Many beautiful upland species of wildflowers like wild bergamot and foxglove beardtongue can be found at the park.
Helen Hazen Wyman Park received its own meadow planting this year. The meadow showcases some floodplain favorites like golden Alexander, Joe Pye weed and ironweed.
At Lake Erie Bluffs, plantings were made where previous invasive plant removal had taken place. This planting included a variety of plants like narrowleaf mountainmint, showy ticktrefoil and blue vervain that can tolerate the wetter soils of the park.
Foxglove beardtongue
All of these meadows will continue to change and develop as they get older—certain plant species can take a few years before they bloom. We hope you enjoy watching them grow over the years and we look forward to seeing you in the parks!