Tiny Forest

The City of Summit Tiny Forest is a multi-layered forest of native plants located on 11,000 square feet behind the Community Center. It was planted using the Miyawaki Method and is designed to become self-sustaining after two to three years and fully developed in 20 to 30 years.

More than 50 different native species are planted in this area and provide three important environmental benefits: biodiversity, stormwater management, and carbon drawdown.

In 2021 the Environmental Commission received a $10,000 grant from NJ American Water and a contribution from the Summit Conservancy for this project. Environmental Commission members and community volunteers worked together throughout 2021 to prepare the ground and soil, and in 2022 to plant more than 650 tree seedlings, shrubs, flowers, and other plants. Volunteers continued working in 2023 to weed, water seedlings, mulch pathways, and perform other maintenance tasks to encourage growth. Today, volunteers continue to actively maintain the Tiny Forest as it further establishes itself.

What is the Miyawaki Method?

The Tiny Forest was planted using the Miyawaki Method, developed by botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki in Japan. This method consists of planting native species very densely together, resulting in diverse and healthy forests that differ from conventional monoculture forests in several ways:

Miyawaki forests grow ten times faster than forests grown without human intervention, becoming self-sufficient after only two to three years of maintenance.
They are 30 times denser, resulting in more carbon captured from the air, better filtration of water, decreased erosion, and improved protection from winds, storms, noise, and heat.
They have high biodiversity and are therefore more resilient and provide better habitat for animals.

2021

NJ American Water awarded Summit a $10,000 grant to create the Tiny Forest.

Environmental Commission (EC) members conducted site analyses including soil testing, consulted with experts, and compiled a list of native species to plant. Members also designed planting grids and created the planting mix. An 8' high welded wire fence was installed to deter deer.

Throughout November and December, EC members, city staff, and community volunteers helped to spread the planting mix and mulch to prepare the ground for planting in Spring 2022.

2021 photos

2022

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on April 2, 2022. After the ceremony, community volunteers planted over 150 trees in the Tiny Forest.

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, Environmental Commission (EC) members, city staff, and community volunteers planted hundreds of trees, shrubs, and plants; weeded and watered the planting area; and removed encroaching grassy patches. Work also continued on the Indigenous Medicine Garden within the Tiny Forest.

Throughout 2022, EC Chair Donna Goggin Patel led several tours of the Tiny Forest for neighboring Environmental Commissions, representatives from Groundwork Elizabeth, Kean University, Seton Hall University, the Rahway River Watershed Association, Union County, and the Summit Garden Club.

Donna Goggin Patel accepted an Environmental Achievement Award presented to the Environmental Commission at the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) conference on October 14.

2022 photos

2023

The 2023 Arbor Day Celebration was held at the Tiny Forest on May 13. At the event, City Forester John Linson spoke about the history of Arbor Day and Environmental Commission Chair Donna Goggin Patel spoke about the Tiny Forest.

Volunteers have continued to help with weeding, planting, moving mulch, and other maintenance tasks throughout 2023. Plants are continuing to grow and lots of pollinators have been seen visiting the Tiny Forest!

Donna Goggin Patel led tours of the Tiny Forest to four environmental commissions from nearby towns.

2023 photos

2024

Volunteers continued to help with weeding, planting, mulching, and other maintenance tasks throughout 2024. Many pollinators visited the area on a daily basis, and the Environmental Commission (EC) began utilizing BirdNET software to record bid songs to monitor the birds that currently visit the Tiny Forest compared to when the trees are planted and mature.

Volunteers and community partnerships help the Tiny Forest succeed and thrive. In the summer of 2024, the EC received two serviceberry tree donations, one from the City of Summit and one from GRACE. Groups of campers from the Summit Department of Community Programs summer camp volunteered their time to weed and re-mulch the path. The EC also received painted bird feeders from the Faith+ Summer Camp at Saint Teresa of Avila Parish which now decorate several trees throughout the Tiny Forest.

EC Chair Donna Goggin Patel continued to lead tours to environmental commission, shade tree committee, and green team members from other towns in New Jersey.

The City of Summit also celebrated Arbor Day at the Tiny Forest in October 2024 with a proclamation read by Mayor Elizabeth Fagan.

2024 Photos

2025

Today, volunteers continue to actively maintain the Tiny Forest as it further establishes itself. There are now over 700 plants of more than 50 native species in the Tiny Forest!

The Environmental Commission added educational and species signage to the forest this year and continues to spread the word about the Tiny Forest, its benefits, and its replicability through tours, presentations and media coverage.

Volunteers also continue to collect seeds from plants in the Tiny Forest to help stock the Native Seed Library at the Summit Free Public Library.

EC Chair Donna Goggin Patel continues to lead tours in 2025, including some organized by the Rahway River Watershed Association and the Essex County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey.