Hunters Point: it really isn't very green, even though the name suggests otherwise. Those trees on the hill leading down to the Newtown Creek have all but vanished with the industrialization of the area. That all started before the turn of the 20th Century, back when industries were proud to spew black smoke into the air - a hallmark of economic prosperity. Now, besides the ragweed in vacant lots - and of course - the large cottonwood tree on 51st Street, there's little green. That's just what inspired me for the second time: a not-so-secret garden, boasting tens of chrysanthemum plants, against neatly made paths of white stone.
It was in October when I noticed it. Usually I had my mind on other things, driving to a destination. But now, there was nothing to do but stop when the color caught my eye. My luck, two ladies were in the garden, strolling, chatting, pointing to the plants. Out of the car, camera in hand, I got near the chain link fence that was draped with morning glories, when they noticed me. They waved me to come in.
The garden had been an untended area on the back side of the Linco Printing Company, a multi-language newspaper printing facility. Many of the workers are Chinese, as were the two ladies I was about to meet. They were pleased someone stopped to admire all their hard work, and invited me to come back and enjoy the garden another time.
It was in October when I noticed it. Usually I had my mind on other things, driving to a destination. But now, there was nothing to do but stop when the color caught my eye. My luck, two ladies were in the garden, strolling, chatting, pointing to the plants. Out of the car, camera in hand, I got near the chain link fence that was draped with morning glories, when they noticed me. They waved me to come in.
The garden had been an untended area on the back side of the Linco Printing Company, a multi-language newspaper printing facility. Many of the workers are Chinese, as were the two ladies I was about to meet. They were pleased someone stopped to admire all their hard work, and invited me to come back and enjoy the garden another time.
I learned that much of the material from the garden was brought in from New Jersey where one of them had some connections to a nursery. It showed. But, what was so amazing is the breadth of this project. There were the mums, in full color, then other perennials lining the beds set off by the stones. In the center, completely made of little privet bushes, were the letters spelling out the company name: LINCO. And, it had only been put together in the last year.
As the fall settled into winter, the mums died back, but the evergreen shrubs continued to show the organization of the garden, and the last of the vines still had flowers just as the first snow arrived. This was my big inspiration. I told everyone I knew, showed them the photos. In such an industrial place: how absolutely lovely!
I started to wonder, were there any other places one could make a garden?
As the fall settled into winter, the mums died back, but the evergreen shrubs continued to show the organization of the garden, and the last of the vines still had flowers just as the first snow arrived. This was my big inspiration. I told everyone I knew, showed them the photos. In such an industrial place: how absolutely lovely!
I started to wonder, were there any other places one could make a garden?
What a wonderful town garden projet!!!!!!!!!! So important to change cities all over the world to colourful florishing places, where human senses can be nourished.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Copenhagen