Albany’s green spaces got a massive boost thanks to an inspiring display of community teamwork! About 50 volunteers of all ages gave an hour of their time to plant 1,000 native flowers, trees, and shrubs in Periwinkle Park.
This weekend's kickoff event marks the first of many plantings along the entire Periwinkle Creek greenway. Through an ongoing partnership between the City of Albany, the Calapooia Watershed Council (CWC), and Albany Parks & Recreation Adopt-A-Park, work will continue through next week to add approximately 7,000 more native plants along the corridor.
A Huge Thank You to Our Local Volunteers & Schools
This impressive progress was made possible by neighbors, families, and student groups stepping up to care for their local parks.
A major shout-out goes out to all of the dedicated volunteers who came together to dig in and help start this project strong:
Student & Family Stewards: Volunteers and families from Periwinkle Elementary, West Albany High School, and South Albany High School who came out to get native roots in the ground.
Civic Volunteers: Dedicated members of the Rotary Club of Albany who provided essential volunteer support throughout the morning.
Community Neighbors: Residents of all ages who donated their time to enhance Albany's natural beauty.
Restoring Habitat & Enhancing Albany's Natural Greenway
This community planting represents the first phase of the larger CWC Periwinkle Creek Restoration Project, made possible thanks to funding support from the Oregon Department of Land and Conservation Development.
By adding thousands of native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants along the stream banks, this collaborative effort will yield long-term ecological benefits for Albany:
Stream Shade: Creating vital canopy shade over Periwinkle Creek to improve water conditions.
Wildlife Habitat: Restoring natural habitat corridors for local wildlife and pollinators.
Greenway Beauty: Enhancing the natural landscape and park experience for neighbors across Albany.
Project Summary
Milestone Achieved: 1,000 native flowers, trees, and shrubs planted by ~50 volunteers.
Next Steps: Work continues through next week to install roughly 7,000 additional native plants along the Periwinkle Creek greenway.
Collaborating Agencies: City of Albany (Public Works / ShrubHub), Calapooia Watershed Council, Albany Parks & Recreation Adopt-A-Park, Oregon Department of Land and Conservation Development.
Featured Volunteer Groups: Periwinkle Elementary, West Albany High School, South Albany High School, Rotary Club of Albany, and local community members.
For more details on the restoration initiative and future volunteer opportunities, visit the Calapooia Watershed Council Periwinkle Project Page.