West Lafayette Municipal Nursery

Background

The inception of the nursery began in 2018 with conversations between Greenspace and Urban Forestry Manager, Bryce Patz, and tree advocates within the community. The campaign to procure funding, raise donations, and locate the perfect parcel for the project took several years. In January of 2022 with a donation to the Foundation of 14.7 acres by the Lucas Family, the West Lafayette Municipal Nursery began to take shape. Located off IN-26, just west of Purdue University campus, construction of the municipal nursery was completed in March 2025. With the support from several entities listed below, we now have an operational facility that will be a model for other communities.

With gratitude for the support of:

• West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission
• West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Foundation
• West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board
• Roy Whistler Foundation
• West Lafayette Tree Friends

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What is our mission?

The West Lafayette municipal nursery plans to grow street trees for parkways and medians, native trees for parks and restoration areas, and native and natural plants for landscaping in public spaces.  

• Nursery trees will infuse the urban canopy affected by losses due to emerald ash borer, the tough urban environment, and changing weather patterns.
• The greenhouse will propagate native grasses and forbs for restoration areas like the oak savannah at the Celery Bog Nature Area.
• Perennials and shrubs will be placed in the numerous right-of-ways and landscape beds that beautify our public spaces, such as Margerum City and the John R. Dennis Wellness Center.

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How You Can Help

Your support of the nursery project will have a lasting impact—helping us grow stronger, greener spaces for years to come. Contributions directly support key initiatives and enhance our ability to care for and expand the nursery.

Below is our current wishlist of tools and equipment that will improve operations and help the nursery thrive:

• Picnic table
• Tractor attachment
• Mini skidsteer (for transporting trees)

Interested in growing a greener future? Let’s bring this project to life. Contact us or donate today!

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