Weeding Out Trouble: Revitalizing the Red Car Greenbelt Park

 By Diana Muska 

Botanical Harmonists needed!! For those of us who were fortunate enough to stroll through the Red Car Greenbelt Park when it first opened, we admired an assortment of wildflowers like California poppies and garland flowers, greeted by native bushes and shrubs near the entrances, and relaxed by tall, wispy grasses swaying around the sitting boulders.  

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for invasive grasses and unruly weeds to stage an all-out takeover, choking the park’s original beauty and vision. This deterioration of the landscaping continues and is only getting worse with time. 

Create Botanical Harmony with Growing the Greenbelt

That’s why we’re launching a grassroots (yes, we went there) project called Growing the Greenbelt, and we need your help. Did you know that Red Car Greenbelt Park is the only park in Belmont Heights? We’re lucky to have this park, and it has so much potential to become a vibrant, beautiful space that includes open grassy areas and habitat-friendly plants. Our mission is to revitalize the park and create a thriving, synergistic, pollinator-friendly natural space to bring beauty and life to our community. 

BHCA board members, along with long-time Belmont Heights resident Elizabeth Lambe, have taken the initial step and met with Councilmember Kristina Duggan to discuss our concerns and goals for the park. Now, we’re looking for more volunteers within our community. Whether you’re a habitat expert, a grant-writing wizard, someone who likes to get their hands dirty (literally), or want a reason to hang out on the Greenbelt, send me an email at muskadiana@gmail.com to become a part of our Growing the Greenbelt project.

We can’t wait to get this project blooming!