So, I am walking down Secord St., yesterday and just after crossing Bay Street I notice a group of people with rakes in their hands, or garbage bags. Another was planting flowers. I have walked by this very area hundreds of times and although it probably occurred to me once or twice how ugly this lot was, but not once did I think about doing anything to make it look better.
Obviously I am not alone in this because until yesterday it looked the very same as it has for the decade or so I have lived in the area. This really touched me and when I asked them why they were doing this wonderful contribution, which they have named `Midsummer Garden`, my admiration grew. One girl answered, `One reason we decided to do the garden was to inspire others to do something to make their community a better place’.
We all have talents that we can use to improve everyone`s quality of life.
What I found so interesting about this project is it goes even deeper than that. One woung man answer really surprised me. “We want to show people they can grow their own food in their back yards or even empty lots if they live in apartments”.
With the rise in food costs as we approach peak oil doing this sort of “grassroots” activism will become commonplace, and necessary. Plus it’s just fun, and it helps bring the community together and have something to work on that anyone can be involved in.
Imagine the shape our city would be in if we all took just a couple hours our of our week and did something to make Thunder Bay a better place to live.
Does it not make sense to invest just a little time into making our city a better place to live? For our children and grandchildren to live?
Well Done, to the “Midsummer Garden” team!! You’re an inspiration to just about all of us!
Kelty Stapleton