The Chatham Garden Club established this public garden in 2007, using perennials that help to sustain our Cape Cod environment.  The plants tolerate full sun, wind and dry, sandy, infertile soil with no fertilizer and minimal watering during drought.  Previously, the Friends of Chatham Waterways maintained a xeriscape garden at the Oyster Pond from 19... to 2004.  Chatham residents Anne O'Brien and Barbara Cotnam, both with extensive background and professional experience in horticulture and landscape design, joined forces to suggest how the Oyster Pond Park might be landscaped after the town finished a stormwater upgrade and reconstruction of the parking lot.

The opinions and needs of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the First Night Committee, the Chatham Garden Club, Friends of Trees and the Sunset Terrace Association, as well as the Town Parks and Recreation Department, were incorporated into the plan.  The VFW's Memorial is a focal point in the park.

In recent years Chatham has had a reduced monthly rainfall during the summer.  All residents are encouraged to conserve water.  One way to do this is to plant species which need little or no irrigation.  Another tip is to limit the size of the residential lawn.  When using a watering system, always check for roadway run-off and adjust watering to lawn and beds only.  Deep water each zone for 25 minutes., using a tuna can to monitor the amount of watering completed--one inch per week is sufficient. The optimal time to water is before 8 A.M.  and after 3  p.m.  For deep root growth water two times per week.  For best results, install an automatic system with a rain sensor.