
A downtown community garden
Vancouver is a small city for a major city…as far as cities go. As a matter of fact, it really has nowhere to grow geographically but up. The whole Lower Mainland is a bit stuck in a triangle between the Pacific, some pretty uninhabitable mountains and the US border, and is so arteried with water, either ocean or river delta, that land is at a premium.
The other day, I had an appointment downtown. Now getting downtown is sometimes a bit of a “take a chance” game to get over bridges and thru traffic, and I found myself with an extra half hour to spare to walk around a little.
I love this temperate, ocean-front climate, and it sure allows for easy green spaces. Most downtown streets have boulevard trees. Most courtyards and corners have lawns and flowers. There are plenty of rooftop gardens, and apiary installations and even a wild meadow roof, so no surprise that against this beautiful skyline I walked thru a community garden which has beautifully designed Garden Paving all across it. It very much reminded me of the past when my dad used to take my brother and me to the park every evening, no matter how important work he had.
The big surprise is that it is on a very valuable street corner and completely open and inviting to the public.
No fences, no gates, no signs which say, “these fruits and vegetables are for the gardeners only”. Completely open and inviting, with benches and paths and beds full of loveliness.
And this could be because Vancouverites, (as a general rule), are a friendly bunch, or because gardeners really do want to share, but here, on this street corner next to a major hospital, next to alleyway homelessness, within a hub of a transient community, it could be because these gardeners recognise the need for giving, for fresh fruit and vegetables, clean water and the smell of roses. Because gardeners sometimes just garden for happiness, not for profit, and, because some big corporation hasn’t got its permission/funding/fingers into this valuable little street corner yet, there’s time for gardeners to share.
I like that π
Beth
gorgeous blooms. for some reason this thought came to mind & i had to joke with ya. how is your new book coming along? i know know. you are not that VR. but seriously, are you reading any good books lately?
have a great day. ( :
Veronica
Lol, funny you should ask. π I was just having tea with my friend Deborah. She writes music, we both write poetry. I was working out a dystopian plot line I’ve got going on in my head. And, I know not to kill of the heroine because I’m still getting hate mail from 13 yr old fans of the other VR insisting she rewrite the plot. The funny thing is they tell me they read the books, but I sort of doubt that they can read if they send that mail to me. π
I’m reading Stories from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean here in Van, but, MOST EXCITING, (and I can finally talk about it), my great friend Julie has published a historical book, “The Water Gypsy“, about a village girl in the 1700 who married a viscount and lived in Blenheim Palace and guess what? She came from our little village on the Thames. Julie is having a signing just before I get to E (with a very limited amount of books) and so I sent Robert to her to collect a book for me and he’s put in on my bedside table. I met Julie when she was researching the book a few years ago and here it is! I’m so proud of her and can’t wait to read it.
Betty
I love the gardens and the yellow roses are so pretty.
Veronica
Oh, and they were so fragrant too Betty…and so remarkably black spot free! π
Patty/NS
How wonderful! A giving piece of humanity on a busy urban corner : )
Veronica
So true Patty. Wouldn’t it be something if Gardening for the Homeless was a real community project? Hmmm… π
Christie
What a lovely offering by some obviously dedicated gardeners!
Veronica
Isn’t it though Christie? Makes me want to go lend a hand. π
daryledelstein
i like that too
Veronica
I know, right? π
vastlycurious.com
I would so love to participate in a communal garden !
Veronica
Just need to find a nice piece of unused land! π
Marianne
What a lovely idea! Like Kathryn (vastlycurious) says, I’d love to participate in a communal garden, too π
Veronica
Oh I know, me too. Just need to find an unused piece of land. π
EllaDee
I think it’s wonderful the gardeners included roses among the plantings, food for the spirit is important too π
Veronica
I was thinking the same thing Ella. π
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow
I think it is wonderful! π