Garden club seeks protection for pollinator garden as firehouse museum plans move forward; commission approves small reimbursement for train station AC

Members of the La Plata Garden Club told the Historic Preservation Commission they are concerned the planned entrance work for the La Plata Firehouse Museum could encroach on a long‑established pollinator garden at the south side of the building and asked staff to coordinate design changes to avoid damaging the plantings.

Kathy (La Plata Garden Club president) said the garden is composed of native perennials and has been maintained by the club for about 15 years. "The photos in your document do not represent the large pollinator garden," she said, and asked for confirmation that the commission and staff would work to preserve the planting if the building entrance is modified. Don (Planning Director, Town of La Plata) responded that design details remain preliminary and that staff and volunteers would work to make both the garden and the building entrance function together.

Why it matters: The pollinator garden is an established, volunteer‑maintained feature adjacent to a public historic asset. Commissioners said they want clarity from the town council on the intended long‑term use of the firehouse museum because further interior and exterior work, staffing, insurance and long‑term maintenance will require council direction and, in some cases, allocated funds.

Funding and council direction

Don told the commission he and the town manager had not found a clear council directive designating the building for an ongoing museum use, and noted…