After the sudden loss of a beloved community member, Matthew Umanos and his dog Elmyra, friends and family sought to celebrate their lives by giving back to Matthew’s favorite local park, Tom Petty Park. The project evolved into a mission to establish a colorful and lively pollinator garden filled with Florida native plants for humans, insects, and animals to enjoy year-round.

From its inception, this project was graciously led by Greg McGann, chair of community gardens for the UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. Emergent Gardens was brought on in Fall 2025 to join a cohort of local and state partners to see the project through. The site now boasts 30 Florida native plant species with staggered bloom times throughout the year for pollinators and human interest. One continuous path gently winds through the 2,500 square foot area providing visitors with the opportunity for quiet reflection and a sense of stability. Over time, this garden will change and adapt to the members of the community as will its dynamic naturalistic planting.