Location
The garden is located a 1/2 mile South of Main Street in the Village of Armada. It is at the corner of Fulton and Depot Roads. It is also alongside the Macomb Orchard Trail, located in Macomb County, MI.
Use 73192 Fulton St, Armada, MI 48005 for GPS directions to get you close to the garden.
North Avenue becomes Fulton Street upon entering Armada.
Parking is close and convenient. Three spots are on the North side of the garden, along Depot Road. Several other spots are available just West of the garden, across Fulton Street, alongside the trail.
Use 73192 Fulton St, Armada, MI 48005 for GPS directions to get you close to the garden.
North Avenue becomes Fulton Street upon entering Armada.
Parking is close and convenient. Three spots are on the North side of the garden, along Depot Road. Several other spots are available just West of the garden, across Fulton Street, alongside the trail.
A Healing Garden
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The April Millsap Memorial Garden is a place for everyone to visit, heal and enjoy. It was designed to reflect April's personality and her love of butterflies and flowering plants. The arbor invites you onto the stone and flower lined path where you can rest, reflect for a moment and enjoy the garden. The garden was created for the healing process of April's family, friends, residents of the Village and Township of Armada and the community whose hearts have been touched by one of Armada's Angels. Additional items were worked into the design to provide a respite for those who use the trail to walk, run and bike. Whatever your reason for visiting us, you will come to know April and our town. |
Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive
Photo credit: Anne Nicolazzo; click for more pics
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Photo Story: April's mother, Jennifer and April's boyfriend, Austin each released butterflies at the dedication. Austin's flew directly to the hand of Mark Hackle's niece. We knew April was with us that special day and was saying thank you to Mr. Hackel for his assistance with the garden.
The Bell
During your visit, you are invited to ring the bell in remembrance of April. Go ahead and give the rope a pull. April's mother lives nearby and will hear.
The Little Library
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April loved to read and write, especially poetry. A journal placed in the library allows you to read one of her poems, as well as leave a note for all to enjoy. April's mother, Jennifer, visits and enjoys reading notes left in the journal. We hope that you enjoy the books in the Little Library. Sit and read in the garden. If you would like, take a book home with you. Leave a book for children or adults on your next visit for someone else to enjoy. |
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Making it happen
Under the direction of Advanced Master Gardener and Landscape Designer, Julie Risch, hundreds of people and businesses came together to make this garden a reality. Macomb County Executive, Mark Hackel, provided final approval and his team provided support throughout the project. After 10 months of planning, the initial installation took two days with more than 500 volunteer hours.
Not Just For Humans
The garden was designed with drought tolerant plants, as well as native plants to attract a variety of pollinators.
The garden is certified as Wildlife Habitat #191186 through the National Wildlife Federation..
The garden is Monarch Waystation #10946 through Monarch Watch.
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC), is the Network’s new campaign to register a million public and private gardens and landscapes to support pollinators. The diverse groups behind the campaign understand and agree that pollinators including honey bees, bumblebees, other native bees, butterflies, and others face complex threats. Some including the iconic migrant Monarch butterfly have steeply declined. More nectar and pollen sources provided by flowering plants and trees will help improve their health and numbers. Increasing the number of pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes will support the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across the country.
Keeping Michigan Beautiful
President's Plaque
10/16/2015
A core group of garden volunteers went to the Keeping Michigan Beautiful awards ceremony in Frankenmuth, MI. April's Garden received the highest score of all applicants, beating out multi-million dollar commercial projects! The garden received the President's Plaque. Garden Coordinator, Julie Risch, shared April's story with the attendees of the KMB Annual Conference. So many hearts were touched.
A core group of garden volunteers went to the Keeping Michigan Beautiful awards ceremony in Frankenmuth, MI. April's Garden received the highest score of all applicants, beating out multi-million dollar commercial projects! The garden received the President's Plaque. Garden Coordinator, Julie Risch, shared April's story with the attendees of the KMB Annual Conference. So many hearts were touched.
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Project Coordinator Julie Risch (L) and Jennifer Millsap (R) receive the President's Plaque from Keeping Michigan Beautiful President, James Keehan
The next day, before we planted 800 bulbs in the garden, April's mother, Jennifer shared the plaque with her father, Dennis - April's grandfather.
Every step of the way, April has provided us with signs that she was with us. Today was no exception. On the ride up to Frankenmuth, spanning across I-69, was the brightest rainbow we have ever seen!
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D & E Landscaping, Richmond
Generously donated their services to water the garden TWICE a week, as well as fill our water tank
Thank you for this generous donation that has allowed the garden to flourish!
Thank you for this generous donation that has allowed the garden to flourish!
Thank you D&E Landscaping for watering our garden ALL season!
Donors
Through the generosity of many individuals and businesses who donated in kind labor, plants, money and many items, this garden became a reality. We cannot thank everyone enough.There were quite a number of nurseries and garden centers that donated all the plant material, please, patronize the businesses who supported April's garden. When you stop by, be sure to thank them for their support, too! Donors are listed below:
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Two of our donors, in particular, stood out with their extremely generous plant material donations.
We are humbled by your generosity! They are:
We are humbled by your generosity! They are:
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Thank YOU, River Street Flowerland of Kalamazoo for donating the plants for the Butterfly Gardens!
Hardscape items
Custom
Sign & Bench
Emmie Die & Engineering, Brown City Aqua Systems Corporation, Brown City MIT Powder Coating, Kent City Benches Ryan Boyd, Lenox Chris Boyd, Lenox Rob Anargyros, Lenox Lowes White Arbor The Albertson Family, Riley Lowes #1121, Grandville Dog Statue Sherry Eckhardt, Romeo Lynn Siudym, Emmet Birdhouses Julie Risch, Kalamazoo, Julie Shanks, Armada Bell & Post Jean Risch, Dryden The Steel Shop, Chesterfield Bike Rack The Bike Depot, Roseville Mulch Dossin’s Landscaping, Armada Cedar Arbor Richard & Libby Dwyer, Oakland Granite Marker Darci Fennel, Macomb Bike Repair Station Richard Hardy, Armada Field Stone Mr. & Mrs. Hicks, Armada Little Library Kara Keinz, Algonac Cat Statue Jennifer Millsap, Armada Concrete Benches Tammy Zuniga, Grand Blanc Others:
Julie Risch—Project Coordinator
Julie DePoorter—Donations Coordinator Jennifer Millsap—Donations Assistant Jean Persely—Media/Fundraiser Coordinator UAW: Local 2280—Utica Local 228—Sterling Heights Local 400—Utica Thank you to so many people who generously gave of their time, talent and treasures to make this garden come to life! If we missed your name, know that it is an oversight, and we are truly grateful to you. |
Thank YOU to Marine City Nursery in East China for donating all the shrubs in the garden! Weigela, Forsythia, and Hydrangeas will all bloom beautifully in April's Garden!
Plants
Altermatt Farms,
Macomb
American Tree H&G, Almont Blake’s Farms, Almont Bordine’s Nursery, Rochester Brohl’s Flower Garden, Almont Diegel’s Greenhouse, Shelby Twp DTE Energy Elya’s Village Gardens & Greenhouses, Macomb Goike’s Gardens, Bruce Haacks Farm Greenhouse, Columbus Hessel’s Greenhouse, Shelby Twp Julie’s Floral Design, Washington Jusko’s Greenhouse, Richmond Landscape Source, Macomb Lynea Roszczewski, Armada Marine City Nursery, East China Meldrum Brother’s Nursery, New Baltimore Joe Randazzo’s Nursery, Macomb River Street Flowerland, Kalamazoo Telly’s Greenhouse, Shelby Twp Uhlianuks Greenhouses, Armada Van Thommes Greenhouse, Chesterfield Van’s Valley Farm Market, Washington Wade Nursery, Macomb Ray Weigend’s Nursery, Macomb Supplies & Misc
Armada Area Chamber, Meals, Water
Armada Printwear, Armada, T-shirts Blue Water Trucking, Romeo, Water EMP Manufacturing, Chesterfield, Security Bolts ESP Design Studio, Chesterfield, Garden Logo Design Family Farm and Home, Richmond, Fertilizer Foster Blue Water Oil, Richmond, Timbers Lumberjack St. Clair, Concrete, Lumber, Concrete Sleeves Macomb County Roads Dept, Soil Macomb County Master Gardener Association, Grant Main’s Landscape Supply, Southfield, Concrete, Fabric, Edging Pot O Gold, Macomb, Porta-john Vinckier Foods, Armada, Cake, Water Ray Wiegand’s Nursery, Macomb, Butterflies |
Garden Ambassadors
We commend all of our partners and volunteers who went above and beyond. They are our Garden Ambassadors:
Rachel Lisecki (Macomb County Planning & Economic Development)
Rachel guided us through the regulations and ordinances
which can be challenging to a design. She assisted us in developing a design that
would comply with regulations.
Understanding our vision, Rachel assisted us with design revisions. Rachel embodies what it means to be a public
servant.
Barb Pert-Templeton (Macomb Daily)
Barb was first to share our story. Since then, she has provided the community with
updates through this journey. Barb’s journalistic professionalism during her
on-going coverage of the garden is truly appreciated.
Ryan Boyd
Ryan has long been a support to Jennifer. With his cheerful
demeanor and can-do attitude, he was eager to jump in and help with many tasks,
digging and installing posts, obtaining equipment, building benches and
bringing extra hands to work.
Rich Hardy and Sondra VanCamp
Rich and Sondra are friends and neighbors of Jennifer. Helping out however they can, they exemplify
the Spirit of Armada’s small town community.
During installation of the garden, they were on hand to work. This meant that they were back and forth
between customers at each of their businesses – Armada Armory and Armada Groom
and Board. Rich and Sondra made sure the
volunteers were fed and watered, with the support of the Armada Area Chamber of
Commerce.
Austin Albertson and the Albertson Family
Austin and his family have not only
rolled up their sleeves during the garden installation, but have generously
supported the garden by sponsoring the National Wildlife Federation Wildlife
Habitat signage, the Monarch Waystation signage, as well as the beautiful white
arbor.
Macomb County (Executive’s Office - Mark Hackle, Albert Lorenzo, John Paul Rea, John Cwikla) (John Crumm, Roads Dept)
Macomb County (Executive’s Office - Mark Hackle, Albert
Lorenzo, John Paul Rea, John Cwikla) (John Crumm, Roads Dept)– Through
compassion driven leadership of the County Executive’s office, the community
has come together to create this garden.
Our first meeting was to determine if the garden was plausible. From that point on, their commitment to the
success of the garden and flexibility in their oversight was paramount. Their ability to collaborate with agencies,
to come to a consensus among disparaging organizations, to remove barriers to
meet everyone’s needs, as well as their ability to balance requirements of all
entities, ensured the gardens success. Their leadership is what is expected of
civic administrators.
Julie DePoorter
Julie became involved early on. She was willing
to cold call on area businesses for donations, assistance and volunteers. She
has assisted in maintaining the garden as well as participating in various
fundraisers. Julie brought enthusiasm and emotion to the project and
was a constant reminder of the emotional state of the community at large. We
are grateful for the work and passion Julie DePoorter brought to this project.
Jean Persely
Jean was asked for 15 minutes of her time. It
turned out to be hundreds of hours. Jean was the first local person who
agreed to volunteer. Jean assisted with every aspect of the garden. She
maintained contacts with community partners, volunteers and donators. As an
Advanced Master Gardener her advice on plant material and community involvement proved
critical. She brought a common sense approach to multi faceted problems. Jean
Persely is a valuable member of the team.
Julie Risch
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Julie Risch, Dedication Day, Photo Credit: Anne Nicolazzo Click on pic for more images
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There are many titles for this big hearted woman: Advanced Master Gardener, Landscape Designer, fearless leader – but she is also the Queen Bee to her many Worker Bees.
Julie reached out last August to discuss a garden for April. Since then, she has spent hundreds of hours planning, coordinating, organizing, designing and redesigning the garden. When she drove out from her Kalamazoo home to install the garden, not only was it the first time she had met April's mother, Jennifer, but the first time she saw the garden site in person. Julie’s dedication, determination, perseverance and sense of humor through adversity, ensured the success of this memorial garden. We have no doubt that under her leadership, this garden will continue growing in memory of April. |
