Tucked along the scenic bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, the pollinator gardens at Freedom Park are bursting with native flowers and buzzing with life. The gardens are providing critical habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating species while offering visitors a beautiful place to relax and learn.

The native pollinator gardens are a centerpiece of the 4-acre Freedom Park and the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center. Designed to showcase the importance of native plants and pollinating insects, the gardens change with the seasons, providing a vibrant display of blooms from spring through fall. Visitors can stroll the walking paths, enjoy the butterfly and water garden, or simply take in the spectacular river views while surrounded by nature.

Pollinators play a vital role in the environment, helping to reproduce nearly 90 percent of the world's flowering plants and many food crops. However, habitat loss and environmental changes have contributed to declining pollinator populations. By planting native species that provide nectar and shelter, Freedom Park is helping create an oasis where these important insects and birds can thrive.

The gardens have also become an educational resource for the community and visitors by stating on tags what varieties are planted in each garden.

For many visitors, the gardens offer something even more valuable: a chance to slow down and reconnect with nature. Monarch butterflies drift among the flowers, bees busily gather pollen, and the sounds of birds and river breezes create a peaceful atmosphere unlike any other in the region.

As more communities embrace native landscaping and conservation efforts, the pollinator gardens at Freedom Park stand as a shining example of how public spaces can support wildlife while enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike. With every blossom and every buzzing bee, the gardens remind us that even small patches of native habitat can make a big difference.

Freedom Park is open to the public and welcomes thousands of visitors each year, inviting everyone to experience the beauty of Prescott's riverfront and the importance of protecting the pollinators that keep our natural world thriving.

We encourage you to come and visit our gardens now as they are in full bloom. Nature photographers bring your camera to capture the beautiful colors in each garden. When you visit our park to take in these beautiful gardens, know that they are maintained by our amazing Stewards of the Gardens group! If you would like to join this all-volunteer team, I know they would love to have you!

Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center at Freedom Park is located at 200 Monroe St., Prescott. Learn more at www.freedomparkwi.org