Suppose…one day Remington would be known for its trees and gardens
instead of its street trash and petty crime.
Friends,
Most everyone in Remington has seen me around the neighborhood, sometimes down on my knees digging in one of the blue boxes along Huntingdon–my so-called “Public Gardens.†Now after four years as a community fellow in Remington I’m saying good-bye. On Sunday
I leave for Australia and a long visit with my only grandchild..
Before departing, I plan to refurbish as many of the box gardens as possible, planting them with showy summer annuals—a kind of parting benediction on the neighborhood..
Will you help keep these little gardens alive and flourishing until frost? Can you volunteer an occasional hour or so to water or weed or stake
or mulch or mow? Or perhaps you would like to adopt a particular blue box. There are many ways to take part and help–whatever fits your
own situation.
“Be the change you envision†is the idea behind the public gardens. Turning each one into a healthy, living, cared-for statement about the neighborhood is obviously still a work in progress…sometimes the blue boxes are attractive, sometimes they appear derelict. It isn’t easy being green. But it’s still a good idea and it’s actually happening. The Village Green on Fox street, the Orchard on the hill at 29th and Sisson, the planned vegetable gardens on 26TH St. as well as the blue boxes are all part of a movement to make the neighborhood one of Baltimore’s greenest.
Even if you’re not interested in greening and gardening, here are some other arguments in favor of doing your bit: Meet neighbors around
a common effort. Help advance GRIA’s identity as a proactive neighborhood association, reaching out across generations and other divides, seeking connection and diversity. Take part in an unusual experiment in community building. Help open the door to other interesting possibilities.
To learn more, see a demonstration, look at the schedule, have a glass of iced tea and sign up, please come by Kr0mer Hall
(339 W.27th) one evening this week. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. Or on Saturday morning between 9:00 and Noon.
Thanks to all,
Peter Babcox
Baltimore Community Fellow
(410) 812-2659 or petrox37@gmail.com