Even in the most urban of landscapes, nature will push through and thrive with a little help. A parking lot becomes a stunning green space. At its end, our multi-tiered wall is a flowing garden that rises up to Fourth Street. It perfectly complements an extraordinary wall of vines on our neighbor’s building that is home to a busy community of countless, diverse birds. A remarkably resilient tree flattens itself against a wall in our alley, extending its fully-leaved branches lengthways along the building, as if it is just fine with making room for the constantly passing cars and trucks. An herb garden with Mint, Lime Basil, Italian Parsley and Greek Oregano pokes through the caged windows leading to our alleyway entrance. The herbs serve meals to Monarch caterpillars who form their chrysalises among the leaves. Brightly colored flowers and a diverse range of plants include Wild Geranium, Hibiscus and Meadow Blazing Star. A paint splat that appeared under suspicious circumstances is transformed into a whimsical elephant by member/owner Marla Gamble (inspired by Dali’s El Elefante Espacial) and towers above a Coleus, and rocks colorfully painted by LLAC member/owners at Sunday brunch are placed throughout the garden.
Our urban garden is a community effort by several of our member/owners and supported by all of us. Special thanks to Bob McBride for all his work on it and to judit neilsdottir for acting as translator, diplomat and special assistance representative to the birds in the vines.
Photos by Marla Gamble, with some by Tim Jennen.
