Republic Services plants seeds of sustainability at Margaret T. Hance Park
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The Republic Services Garden at Margaret T. Hance Park was unveiled Wednesday, Feb. 1, in downtown Phoenix with elected leaders and corporate citizens celebrating the salute to sustainability and native Arizona vegetation.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego along with Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari and Republic Services President and CEO Jon Vander Ark amongst Phoenix Community Alliance and the Hance Park Conservancy revealed the one-of-a-kind sustainable garden at Margaret T. Hance Park.
“As Phoenix welcomes thousands of visitors to Hance Park for Super Bowl LVII in just a few days, this Republic Services Garden will be a must-see experience,” said Mayor Kate Gallego at the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier today. “Public parks and open spaces are essential to healthy communities, and this sustainable garden is an investment that will pay dividends for those visiting and living in our downtown Phoenix community.”
Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari echoed a similar sentiment.
“I’m thrilled to finally showcase what a sustainable desert garden oasis can look like at Margaret T. Hance Park. Green spaces not only become a symbol of connected, active communities, but demonstrate the city’s dedication to making Hance a world-class city destination,” she said. “This one-acre addition to this downtown gem is sure to wow Super Bowl visitors and will greatly serve residents and families across our city for years to come.”
Phoenix officials say they expect the community garden to be an attraction to residents, visitors and anyone attending the Super Bowl Experience Presented by Lowe’s at Hance Park in the coming weeks.
Republic Services plants seeds of sustainability at Margaret T. Hance Park
Republic Services is the official Environmental Services Sponsor of the Experience.
For Javara Perrilliat, Republic Services southwest area president, the company investing in sustainability is more than a tagline.
“At Republic Services we are an environmental company — it really is about creating a sustainable planet,” he told the Arizona Digital Free Press following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “When we found out about this opportunity and the park itself being a central them — we are also headquartered not far from here — it felt very important for us to be present in our local community.”
In spring of 2022, the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department partnered with Phoenix-based Republic Services and Phoenix Community Alliance to announce the construction of the sustainable garden.
“It makes you proud to walk around the community garden and we are very proud to be one of the early investors in revitalization of Hance Park,” he said. “We have teammates who use the park every week. This park is part of the fabric of our community and really aligns with our company values.”
The Republic Services Charitable Foundation’s $2 million sponsorship helped build the one-acre sustainable oasis featuring native desert plants and shaded walking and seating areas.
“Republic’s vision is to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world, so we are proud to be working through our Charitable Foundation on our largest neighborhood revitalization project yet, right here in our hometown of Phoenix,” said Jon Vander Ark, Republic Services president and CEO. “This one-of-a-kind sustainable garden represents our commitment to creating cleaner, healthier and stronger spaces in the neighborhoods where our team members and customers live and work.”
When fully complete, the Republic Services Garden at Margaret T. Hance Park will feature 33 native desert plants chosen for their ability to thrive in the Phoenix heat and their low water requirements. The diverse selection of plants will provide a habitat for pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
The area includes a recycled steel canopy to shade walking paths, seating areas and swings, and energy efficient LED lighting is included for nighttime use.
“Phoenix Parks are essential to a healthy urban environment and this garden will serve as a gathering place where residents and visitors can explore and enjoy nature,” Parks and Recreation Board Chair Kelly Dalton said.
