The Gardens on Broadway
Welcome to The Gardens on Broadway
The Gardens on Broadway were made possible by a gift from former Mercy Chief of Staff Irene Buckley. Irene’s vision was for this perennial garden to be a showcase welcoming friends and neighbors to Mercy, while also honoring the Mercy Community – past, present and future.
The garden is designed to offer color and visual interest throughout each season, and includes paths and benches to encourage visitors to walk and sit throughout the area and enjoy the environment.
Sustainability is at the heart of the garden's design. It features stormwater management and irrigation systems, native and pollinator-friendly plantings and native stone from pervious pathways. This not only reduces our environmental footprint but creates a self-sustaining system.
What is a Pollination Corridor?
Pollination corridors, or “bee highways,” are vital pathways connecting fragmented habitats, enabling pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds to traverse developed landscapes. These corridors serve as lifelines for biodiversity, ensuring the health and prosperity of ecosystems. By preserving and enhancing these corridors, we safeguard not only the intricate dance of pollination but also the abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that sustain life on Earth.
Impacts
- Insect pollination is integral to food security – honey bees enable the production of more than 90 commercially grown crops in North America
- Bee pollinated commodities account for $15 billion in annual U.S agricultural production
- Native plant habitat attractive to pollinators will also attract beneficial insects that are predators of crop pests
- Honey bee pollinated habitat vegetation promotes carbon sequestration and soil health
- Conservation covers decrease wind and water erosion, and improve water quality by intercepting sediment and nutrients
- Native plants attractive to pollinators also are good habitat for wildlife species including pheasant, quail, and other game species
Special Thanks to Our Donor
Irene Buckley
Irene Buckley retired in February 2020 from Mercy after an illustrious 39-year career. At just 21-years-old Buckley started her career working in the President’s office, where she would eventually rise in the ranks from secretary to chief of staff and Board secretary.
Lovingly deemed the Mercy University historian, she is known for upholding the University's message and values, and as the keeper of continuity through numerous transitions. Buckley is a committed donor to the University including its Mercy Scholars program, which rewards qualified high school students with full tuition support for all four years of college.
Her generous support has enabled the University to establish The Gardens on Broadway. The Gardens add a beautiful and ecologically impactful addition to our campus that all can enjoy, and for which we are extremely grateful.
