By Tammy Thornton
A hidden gem in Galloway, Glenn by the Bay at Veterans Memorial Park, offers a place to stroll wooded paths lined with native plants, peruse pollinator gardens, and immerse yourself in nature. The new Welcome Pavilion and pollinator garden were dedicated at Glenn by the Bay during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday, Oct. 9.
This event marked the completion of a grant project by Go Green Galloway, funded by PSEG through the Sustainable Jersey organization. The ceremony began with a meet and greet followed by a welcome from co-chair of the project, Steve Fiedler, from Go Green Galloway. Cub Scout Pack 12 led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, while also helping to hold up the flag on what proved to be a beautiful but windy day. Opening remarks were given by Galloway Mayor Anthony Coppola. Other speakers highlighting the project were: Kaitlyn Vollmer, grants program manager, in recognition of Sustainable Jersey; Julie Bell, project coordinator, in recognition of the National Parks Service; and Thomas (Tim) Glenn, representing the Glenn Family Foundation. After refreshments, attendees were given an opportunity to view the pollinator gardens and take the 1-mile guided walk on the Glenn by the Bay Loop Trail.
The beginning of the winding path is marked with a sign for “Annie’s Woods” in honor of Anne-Marie Glenn, matriarch of the Glenn family and previous owner of the property with her late husband Tom. The civic-minded Glenn Family loved this land and never wanted to see it developed. They are credited with the preservation of the land, which was transferred to the Atlantic County Parks system through the Green Acres program and was eventually turned over to Galloway Township. The path through the over 1-acre forested site leads to the back of the property, which goes out to Reed’s Bay, the location of a recent turtle release coordinated with Stockton University.
Fiedler spoke about the grant project that was given the theme: “Go Native at Glenn by the Bay.” He gave credit to the extensive partners of the project, including the Xerces Society, the National Park Service, Go Green Galloway, Absecon Green Team, Sustainable Jersey, Stockton University, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Glenn Family Foundation, as well as many volunteers from the community. Fiedler stated that over 200 tons of invasive species plants were removed to make room for the growth of native plants, and said that “volunteers are our lifeblood.” In addition to the pavilion, benches, and signage, a Xerces plant package award helped create a pollinator garden of native species plants, and an NRCS/USDA grant supplied funding to complete a second pollinator garden filled with native shrubs, warm season grasses, and more herbaceous plants.
Attendees enjoyed the walk on the Glenn by the Bay Loop Trail and look forward to how the gardens and habitat will support pollinators and native wildlife in the future. For more information or to find out how you can get involved, contact: gogreengalloway12@gmail.com.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
