Project Elanor is the little garden that could. It all began on April
6, 2003, on an unruly lawn
at the
Riggs
Institute for Learning and Literacy in Beaverton, Oregon.
Handy tip: Sometimes it's best to just fork over the cash and get a SOD
REMOVER, rather than handing the volunteers a shovel and telling them
to have at it. Needless to say, by the official start of Elanor, the
ground was nekkid and ready for 60 volunteers to make it a glorious
garden.
Volunteer Sean Astin and his wonderful family set the bar for the work
ethic. No matter where you were, you could see Sean hard at work. It
was inspiring for all, to all to try and keep up with his boundless
energy and unflagging high spirits--even in freezing Oregon rain.
The volunteers were remarkable. In one day, the path was laid, the deck
built, the flower beds planted--it was a miracle. More volunteers
returned that fall to pull weeds and replant spots that didn't "take."
In the meantime, the community began to explore
this oasis in the middle of downtown, as a peaceful spot to read,
picnic, or just to let
children play.
A few months later, the original organization dissolved, but the
volunteers that created the garden found it was not in their hearts to
just walk away from it. They formed One Small Garden amongst
themselves,
to ensure that the garden would always have caretakers.
2004 was very busy: Work parties weeded and tended to the garden. The
largest event
was the First Anniversary Workparty in April. We have continued to host
organized clean-up events for both winter and spring of each subsequent
year.
In 2005, One Small Garden filed to become a
bona fide
non-profit organization and the Second Annual Anniversary work party
took place on April 2.
Click here to see the
2005 Anniversary Video. (requires Windows Media Player 9.0)
After seeing the community response to this wonderful garden, OSG has
decided to expand its vision: today, Beaverton, Oregon...tomorrow, the
world! Now that our Showcase Garden
is established, we plan to get to the drawing board to help other
communities build gardens too.
More Project Elanor Photos!
