Celebrating America’s 250th: Coral Township Unveils New Flagpole and Expanded Native Garden to Residents
On July 8, 2026, the Coral Township Board dedicated a brand‑new flagpole and an expanded native garden to the residents of Coral Township in commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The new flagpole was generously donated to the Township and installed by staff from the Township Highway Department.
The native garden expansion builds upon the original garden created in 2021 as part of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Program, which supports butterflies and other pollinators. To honor America’s 250th year, the Township enlarged the garden bed and added numerous new native plants. Blue Stem Ecological Services, a landscape architecture firm in Marengo specializing in native landscapes, donated both the plants and the installation work.
The Coral Township Board, Supervisor, Highway Commissioner, Assessor, Clerk, and Planning Commission were proud to dedicate these improvements to the community. Residents attended the event and joined in celebrating this milestone.
CORAL TOWNSHIP JOINS MAYOR’S MONARCH PLEDGE PROGRAM
Coral Township’s Native Plant Garden Initiative
In the fall of 2021, Coral Township joined other cities and villages in McHenry County by pledging to establish a native plant garden to help monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation.
Project Phases:
- Phase One (Fall 2021): Initiated bed preparation for a pollinator garden around the Township fuel shed and along the wooden fence line.
- Phase Two (Spring 2022): Built up the bed and installed donated native plants.
- Phase Three (Fall/Winter 2022): Seeded native plants in the garden.
- Phase Four: (2023/2024) Planted natives along the fence line, specifically milkweed. Edged native beds. Replaced wooden fence.
- Phase Five: (2024/2025) Continue to expand the milkweed garden along the fence. Increase the overall depth of garden bed by 6″-12″ to allow plants to multipy.
- Phase Six: (2026) To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country, the Township will partner with a native landscape ecologist who resides within Coral Township to double the size of the pollinator garden. The design will also incorporate a new flagpole honoring 250 years of independence. In addition, the depth of the original garden will be expanded to support healthy plant growth and long‑term sustainability.
The results of this project continue to beautify the Township property and fulfill our commitment to help monarch and pollinator conservation.
We’d like to thank Lechner Topsoil soil for donating the topsoil which allowed us to build-up the beds around the buidling.
Laurie Cisneros is overseeing the garden and Renee Hill is spearheading our efforts on Facebook. If you’d like to help in this awesome cause contact Laurie at lkcisneros58@gmail.com
Monarch caterpillar munching on Swamp/Rose Milkweed.