Red Deer will soon be adding a fourth pollinator park to the city.

Planting for Snell Gardens will begin in June and will include fruit trees, a walking path and signage describing the types of pollinators and why each is important.

Ecological Services Operations Coordinator with the City of Red Deer, Ken Lehman, said pollination is vital to maintain healthy plants and says the parks are a great way to educate the public.

“What it is, it gives people an idea of what pollinate habitat really is and they can look at that garden and then take it home and hopefully do some of that on their own properties.”

A pollinator is an insect or animal that moves pollen from one flower to another. This pollen exchange is needed to produce seeds and fruit.

Lehman said it’s important to give pollinators a place to flourish for both them and for us.

“Within the province, we have over 300 different species of native bees, but it’s not just bees, it’s the secondary pollinators as well.”

“It’s hummingbirds, beetles, moths and butterflies. All of those critters pollinate plants and help them reproduce so we get fruit and more plants.”

Maskepetoon, City Hall Park and Bower Ponds are the city’s other three pollination parks.