In Upper Monroe, the
adage “good fences
make good neighbors”
doesn’t hold much
water. Participants
in the design
charrette observed
an unsightly fence
at Belmont and
Monroe, and
envisioned instead a
garden. The purpose
of the fence was to
keep pedestrians
from encroaching on
the property while
rounding the corner,
but a garden serves
the same purpose in
a much more pleasing
way.
This past spring,
UMNA applied for and
received a
NeighborGood grant
for $2000 to replace
the corner fence
with a garden. But
more than financial
support was needed
to make it happen.
The city helped out
by removing the
fence and some
existing pavement
blocks, while the
building’s owners
lent enthusiasm and
support. The owners
generously installed
a water spigot
making it easy to
keep the garden
watered (and will
thus be donating
their water for this
purpose in the years
to come).
Anne Lichtenstein
put her design
skills to work to
plan a garden within
a number of
constraints
including our strict
budget. To fill out
the garden, many
neighbors donated
plantings, some of
which are still
recovering from
being transplanted.
The wonderful
children of The
Corner Place Summer
Arts Academy worked
hard to create
unique paving stones
that will be
installed in the
garden this fall.
And let’s not forget
all our neighbors
who generously
donated their time
and labor to make
the garden a
reality. Thanks to
everyone who worked
so hard to make this
happen.
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