July 26, 2003
A Garden is Born
Today we broke ground at the Stanley Park Community Flower Garden and Native Plant Demonstration Garden.
Quite a mouthful, but the title reflects the reality of the garden. Part of it is broken into private plots that can only be used for flowers (no vegetables). And part of it will be devoted to native plants. This part will be run by the Stanley Park Ecology Society. The private plots will be administered by the West End Residents Association. There's a blog for anyone interested in the progress of the garden.
The garden is occupying a swarth of grass on the eastern edge of the park, between the road and some public tennis courts. You would think it would be welcomed by the community - the sight of beautiful flowers instead of boring grass - and for the most part, it is. But the residents of one neighbouring building are bitterly opposed to the garden and some of them have even threatened to vandalize it. WERA and SPES have tried to respond to some of their concerns (excess traffic, litter, untidyness) even though some of those concerns are, frankly, ludicrous. They're worried about excess traffic when they already overlook one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vancouver?
The reaction of these neighbours is a classic example of NIMBYism and it's rather disheartening to see. WERA has sent a letter to the Parks Board and to the council of the building in question, raising the vandalism issue and putting them on notice that such actions will not be tolerated.
I hope that as the garden progresses, the residents of this building will come to realize that it is adding value to their views, and to their property. Maybe some of them will even want to get on the waiting list for plots.
Posted by wetcoast at July 26, 2003 02:36 PM