Editor,
This is my eulogy to the Community Unity Garden downtown that was created four springs ago by volunteers organized through the Squamish Volunteer Centre. The private land owned by 7Js Development (in part the Drenka family) is in the process of being sold. The donated plants are finding new homes, some sold in a fundraiser to support the Hot Spot, a cooperative of the Volunteer Centre (SVC), Freenet Association (SSFNA) and Environmental Conservation (SECS), some donated to local schools, hospital and the new Rotary Community Food Garden.
I have deep roots in this garden, since I shared the idea of starting it to the Volunteer Centre board in 2002.
I pitched my love for what plants can do for our spirits and volunteering. Gardens can take us through the emotional cycle of life in one year; the anticipation of new life in the spring, the symphony and humour of colour and smells in the summer, the bounty of harvest in the fall, and rest and reflection in the winter.
Public gardens in vacant lots created by volunteers amplify all the emotions; they are shared with everyone that participates and enjoys the garden.
The idea I shared with the Volunteer Centre board was not a new one, I had seen it while living in Victoria and Vancouver, where public medians, round-abouts and vacant lots were planted by 'gorilla gardeners'. To me these areas were so visually appealing and personal; where the public areas that never seemed to include me were made private. They made me smile.
The Unity Garden made me smile. I smiled when I saw struggling plants thrive. I smiled whenever I met Don living across the street watering the garden, talking about his farm childhood, picking the strawberries or tomatoes. I smiled while weeding as I watched children jumping on the stepping stones, tourists whispering how did they make that willow fence, the woman who picked sprigs of lavender on her daily walk, the birds and insects who found new homes, the surprise new plantings, and those who took time to help or just cheered "keep up the good work". I smiled when month after month, season after season, the skeptics who predicted vandalism, were proven wrong.
The Unity Garden has left a legacy. It left a legacy of personal and public empowerment, trust and unity. Individual volunteers can make a difference in the livability of their surroundings, positively affect the lives of others and their environment. I choose to see that the Unity Garden is spreading. The plants and ideals are rooting in private and public spaces including a new community food garden. I am optimistic there will be "gorilla gardening" and more officially sanctioned public gardens as Squamish embraces Smart Growth - growth where plants have a feature role in improved livability and contribute to habitat of the animals, birds and insects in our shared urban environment. I am encouraged by Squamish's participation and successes in Communities in Bloom.
Now, with the end of the Community Unity Garden through my grieving I still find myself smiling. I smile at the great memories, the great accomplishments and the wonderful gifts. Gifts from the garden and more so the gifts of the relationships that have developed because of the garden. I started by seeing the 'ugliness' of the vacant lots and through the creating and tending of the garden discovered the beauty, friendship and generosity of the people in Squamish.
I would really appreciate reading in The Chief how the Unity Garden has affected you.
Maya Charnell
Squamish
