Years ago, David Davis, who has lived in an apartment on Parkman and Silver Lake Boulevard for 19 years, wanted to do something with that huge swath of asphalt in front of his building. Today, his wish is almost complete.
Today, many volunteers came again to finish the planting at Parkman Triangle. Blue fescue, sticks on fire, tea trees, and lavender have made this once-dingy corner a gateway for this 100 year old neighborhood.
The enthusiasm for this project has been infectious. Over the past several weeks, the volunteers had always gotten the thumbs-up from folks driving by. Today, these turned into loud honks! The results have been spectacular. This little park’s design tricks the eye into thinking the space is larger than it actually is. And what is particularly wonderful, as Davis has pointed out, is that locals will now walk around the entire perimeter—not just the sidewalk between the former turn lane and apartments.
One more day of volunteering is needed on Sunday, May 2, starting at 11 a.m. We have a few more plants to place, and some cleanup. The hope is that more local property owners will take measures to make their homes look nicer, and that other patches of weeds and asphalt will be torn up and turned into green space that will benefit everyone living and visiting Silver Lake.
Wherever you live, scour your city and county governments to see what kind of seed money exists that allows residents to turn blighted areas into green space. You may be surprised at the funds available (even in a horrid economy) and the help you will get from the community to get your dream project completed.
[...] amazing ingredients out here. Two ingredients are everywhere: citrus and lavender. With lavender abundant everywhere, not to mention the incredible Meyer lemons that thrive throughout the state, I would [...]