Our Firehouse Beautification project is at University City Firehouse #2, which lies at the top of the banks of the River des Peres.  Starting in 2010, the overall project began to beautify the property by replacing an invasive monoculture of weeds (a clump of only one kind of plant) with native vegetation (flowers and shrubs from Missouri) that will increase bio-diversity (more than one kind of plant).  This will also help extend an existing landscaped marker that highlights the 1904 World's Fair Marathon Route.  We've also built two rain gardens beside the parking lot to control rainwater runoff.  At present, we have cut 90% of the weeds (Japanese bush honeysuckle and grapevine) from the property.  All we need to do now is to prepare the site and install plants along the river bank and in the rain garden.  For this project, we'll have help from the St Patrick Center's Green Jobs Trainining Initiative established to provide landscaping experience to military veterans with the goal to increase job placement.

On April 25 (rain date April 27), we'll be doing clearing and site preparation.

On May 12 (rain date May 16), we'll be planting the site with native plants.

Dress for outdoor work and bring a refillable water bottle.