Monarch Gardens in McKinney Offers Monthly Volunteer Workdays

The Monarch Gardens in McKinney, Texas, is inviting residents to participate in monthly volunteer workdays. The garden, located at Gabe Nesbitt Park, 3339 Alma Road, was formerly known as Green Gardens. It features more than 60 varieties of drought-resistant plants and is maintained by McKinney Parks and Recreation along with Keep McKinney Beautiful volunteers.

The garden serves as an educational space designed to support pollinators and wildlife. Volunteers can earn service hours by pulling weeds, spreading mulch, and completing other tasks within the garden. These recurring workdays provide opportunities to learn about native and drought-tolerant gardening, water conservation, and watershed protection.

Volunteer workdays occur every last Saturday of the month. During the summer months of June through August, the hours are from 8 to 10 a.m. Participants are asked to bring water to stay hydrated and their own tools for working in the garden. Recommended tools include wheelbarrows, clippers, hand shovels, shovels, rakes, and gloves. Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended.

The site also features murals by local artist Andrea Holmes. Inspired by the biodiversity of the Blackland Prairie, the murals celebrate native plants, pollinators, and healthy watersheds. They aim to share a snapshot of McKinney's natural history and reinforce the garden's mission to encourage the inclusion of native and drought-tolerant plants in landscaping. The program receives support and funding from various sources.

The garden lists several Texas natives and drought-tolerant plants, including Butterflyweed, Coral Honeysuckle, Desert Willow, Lemon Beebalm, Purple Coneflower, Red Yucca, Rock Rosemallow, and Blue Sage. Planting these species helps conserve water, improve creek quality, and support pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees in North Texas.