By Rhonda Roskos

Solon Recreation Nature Area has long been one of Solon’s busiest gathering places, filled with youth sports, families, and trail users. But despite the constant activity, the trailhead gardens had fallen into disrepair – overgrown, weedy, and lacking regular care.

After joining the Master Gardener program in 2023, I partnered with Shannon Bielicke and the City of Solon to create a phased plan for the gardens. The city offered support with funding, mulch, and hauling.

Volunteers answered the call, clearing seven truckloads of debris that October. With no plant map or records, we knew spring would reveal what could be saved.

Year One: Reviving the Gardens

When we returned in spring 2024, we pruned the roses and red-twig dogwoods – both responded beautifully. The roses bloomed nonstop all summer, confirming they were landscape roses.

A major focus became the plantings around the Octagon Barn. The city removed old material and supplied new soil, and our team installed more than 70 deer-resistant, sun-loving plants. Throughout the year we weeded, mulched, learned plant identifications together, and settled into a rhythm of seasonal care.

Year Two: Growing the Project

With one full cycle complete, we expanded our efforts in 2025. We mulched again, avoided pruning new plants, and took on a new bed beside the barn. Students joined us on their service day to clear old mulch and prep the site. MG volunteers planted over 40 new plantings.

We also joined Solon’s Trick or Treat, sharing candy with more than 800 children and gardening tips for the adults. 

Many residents stop by as we work, asking questions and offering encouragement – proof the gardens are becoming a point of pride.

Next Steps: Pollinator Garden

Our next project is enhancing the pollinator and butterfly garden near the splash pad. Existing

perennials – including Joe Pye weed, coneflowers, and sedum – will be joined this spring by bee balm, salvia, sage, and more. We’ll add a shallow-water source for butterflies, new mulch, and, eventually, a community-painted art pole, kid-friendly educational materials, and signage.

Blooming Together

What began as restoring neglected beds has grown into a community effort supported by volunteers, students, and city staff. The roses may still steal the show, but it’s the shared pride, new connections, and growing sense of stewardship that truly define the transformation of SRNA’s trailhead gardens.

Our volunteers are thrilled that this project is now a core project – we invite you to come out and see our progress. 

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering at the park, reach out to Rhonda Roskos at roskosrt@gmail.com.