Fire Department

Fire Station 9, at corner of Midvale Boulevard and Regent Street, is now a Monarch Waystation, thanks to a generous donation by the Sunset Garden Club!

On a pleasant Saturday morning just head of the July 4 holiday, members of the Sunset Garden Club convened at Fire Station 9 with loads plants suited to provide pollinators and butterflies with nourishment and a safe habitat. 

“The color theme of reds and blues — or ‘fire and ice’ — serve as a tribute to our firefighters, including the dwarf honeysuckle variety, ‘Fire Chief,’” said Gerianne Holzman, President of the Sunset Garden Club.

The Sunset Garden Club was founded in the Sunset Village neighborhood, which Fire Station 9 primarily serves. By placing the garden in the station's front yard, the club aims to build public awareness of the plight of our pollinators, especially the monarch butterfly, while thanking those who serve the neighborhood around the clock.

“As we plant this garden, we honor the brave men and women who protect us every day— our firefighters,” Holzman said.

Just after the plants were installed and watered, the garden received its first visitor: A monarch butterfly! The gardeners cheered as the camera-shy monarch rested briefly on a flower petal and fluttered away.

The Sunset Garden Club was formed in 1941, during WWII, with the advent of the Victory Gardens. Founding members were couples from Sunset Village. Today the club is comprised of a diverse group of garden enthusiasts from around Madison and the surrounding communities.

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Photos courtesy of the Sunset Garden Club.