EQUALITY GARDEN CLUB DONATES TO OAKLAND PARK’S STUNSON NATURE TRAIL PARADE OF ORCHIDS Photos Courtesy of City of Oakland Park

From L to R: Carl Shearer, Marjory Meechan, Pat Ellison, Van Gosselin, Jon Albee, Linda Gordon, Mario Rios, Mayor Matt Sparks, Rich Ackerman, Commissioner Tim Longergan

The Equality Garden Club (EGC) donated $1,000 and the unveiling of a new informational kiosk that helps to Oakland Park’s Stunson Nature Trail’s Parade explain the significance of the Parade of Orchids and of Orchids, as part of the Fairchild Tropical includes photos of some of the thousands of beautiful Botanical Garden’s “The Million Orchid Project.” This native orchids that volunteers have planted along the project is to reintroduce millions of native orchids to Stunson Nature Trail at Royal Palm Park. South Florida’s urban landscapes. South Florida’s native orchids currently exist in such small numbers that they “The Equality Garden Club is thrilled to be a part of the have little hope of recovering without programs such as “Parade of Orchids” initiative, not only from a financial Oakland Park’s Million Orchid Project (MOP). Fairchild is aspect, but as committed partners in seeing this propagating millions of native orchids for reintroduction successfully completed,” says Equality Garden Club into South Florida’s urban landscapes. The new Treasurer and Chairman of the club’s orchid project, Mario Micropropagation Laboratory at Fairchild will generate a Rios. “Furthering our efforts to encourage environmental limitless supply of young native orchid plants. sustainability and beautify our communities, the EGC The City of Oakland Park has created this trail in Garden’s [MOP] which plans to bring indigenous orchids appreciation for the many public servants, friends, back into Southeast Florida. We are pleased to be able medical professional, religious and civic leaders, to donate to this wonderful project in Oakland Park.” and everyone who has been of service during these challenging times with this “Parade of Orchids” at “This project will create a beautiful and harmonious Stunson Nature Trail. The City of Oakland Park would space of reflection,” added Oakland Park Mayor Matthew like to thank the Equality Garden Club for the generous Sparks. “We envision the orchids as a stunning tribute donation to the “Parade of Orchids” at Stunson Nature to the first responders, medical professionals, and Trail. Oakland Park employees whose commitment to serving Members of the Equality Garden Club, Urban Farming Board engaged in extensive review of Fairchild Botanical our community has never wavered.” Institute, Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society, Oakland Park’s South Florida was once an orchid paradise, with a rich Community Volunteer Corps, and City Commissioners variety of tropical orchids growing naturally on the were on hand for the ceremonial check presentation branches of every tree. In the late 1800s, as the Florida