City of Phoenix officials, Republic Services, Inc. and community leaders celebrated the unveiling of the Republic Services Garden at Margaret T. Hance Park Wednesday in downtown Phoenix.
During a ribbon-cutting event, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, Republic Services President and CEO Jon Vander Ark and community partners including 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. “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.”
“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,” Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari 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.”
Fans of Super Bowl LVII, visitors and Phoenix residents will be able to enjoy the garden, the latest component of the Hance Park Revitalization Project. The garden is sure to be an attraction to residents, visitors and anyone attending the Super Bowl Experience Presented by Lowe’s at Hance Park. Republic Services is the official Environmental Services Sponsor of the Experience.
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. 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.
The Margaret T. Hance Park Revitalization Project is a public-private partnership led by the Hance Park Partner Coalition, consisting of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, Phoenix Community Alliance and Hance Park Conservancy.
Funding for the Hance Park Revitalization Project, estimated at $100 million, will come from public and private sources. City of Phoenix has dedicated $15 million of voter-approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI) funds toward the project. A fundraising campaign is being led by the Phoenix Community Alliance and Hance Park Conservancy to generate private funding.
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste, container rental and field services. Republic’s industry-leading commitments to advance circularity, reduce emissions and decarbonize operations are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world.