News Summary
Dearborn has transformed a vacant plot into the Southend Butterfly Garden, aimed at enhancing community health and combating pollution in a heavily industrialized area. This new greenspace, featuring a variety of pollinator-friendly plants, encourages community participation in its maintenance. The garden, located near key landmarks, highlights the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability and transforms a historically empty lot into a vibrant space for residents and pollinators alike.
Dearborn has introduced a new pollinator-friendly greenspace named the Southend Butterfly Garden, transforming a long-vacant plot into a vibrant area aimed at enhancing community health and combating pollution. Located at 10051 Welch St. in the industrial-heavy Dix-Vernor corridor, the garden is strategically positioned near significant landmarks such as Detroit’s Woodmere Cemetery and the Ford truck plant.
The initiative, championed by Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud, seeks to address the environmental health challenges faced by one of the city’s most polluted areas. The garden features a diverse selection of plants and flowers specifically chosen to support butterflies and other pollinators, with an emphasis on bright annuals and salvias to bolster the local butterfly population.
A city spokesperson highlighted the importance of pollinator gardens in supporting surrounding vegetation while promoting overall environmental health. Residents are actively encouraged to “take ownership” of the garden, with volunteers participating in planting, watering, and maintenance efforts.
Historically, the 10051 Welch St. lot has been largely empty for decades, although it previously housed a home that was demolished in the early 2000s. The process of acquiring the property took several years, with formal planning for the garden beginning in 2023. To bring the vision to life, landscape architecture student Annabella Barry from Michigan State University collaborated with the Dearborn Department of Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Key features of the Southend Butterfly Garden include paved walking paths, stepping stones, manicured edges, boulders, and a butterfly-themed bench designed for pedestrian access. Additionally, a colorful butterfly-themed mural was created by the city’s Pockets of Perception student design team, located on the wall of the nearby Arabian Village Market at 10040 Dix Ave.
Funding for the project came from several sources, including the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Home Depot, and a generous donation from community member Judy Patrick. The grand opening ceremony, held on August 6, 2025, was marked by a ribbon-cutting event attended by city leaders, community members, and dignitaries such as U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
The city has expressed its commitment to exploring additional opportunities to repurpose underutilized land, particularly in commercial and industrial areas, for the benefit of the community. Mayor Hammoud has underscored the significance of such initiatives in promoting public health and environmental sustainability throughout Dearborn.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News: Dearborn’s Butterfly Garden Opens
- CBS News: Dearborn Dedicates Butterfly Garden
- Press & Guide: Dearborn’s Climate Change Plan
- Little Guide Detroit: Pollinator Month Activities
- Farm Progress: Landowner Transforms Conservation District
- Wikipedia: Pollinator Garden
- Google Search: Butterfly Gardens
- Google Scholar: Pollinator Gardens
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pollinators
- Google News: Dearborn Butterfly Garden
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
