A Garden, A Library, A Partnership

Park Hill Library Garden Set To Blossom In Spring, Courtesy of GPHC

By Tara Bannon Williamson

Senior Librarian – Park Hill Branch

Beneath the gleaming blanket of snow, slumber the buds of Spring.

Love and devotion for our community nourish the roots that deepen and thrive, though they remain unseen. Because of the leadership and generosity of the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc and Park Hill Garden Walk, the Park Hill Branch Library received landscaping rejuvenation in the garden beds facing Montview Boulevard in October. As longtime collaborators, the library has proudly been a ticket sale location for the Park Hill Garden Walk that happens each year.

Demonstrating remarkable patience and fortitude, Helen Quinn, Barbara Armendariz, Patty Mead, Carla Finch and Tracey MacDermott of the Garden Walk Committee spearheaded the effort to launch this project in collaboration with the library. Their gardening knowledge and eye for design were complemented by the expertise of Jose Chavez of JS Landscaping, whose company skillfully completed the work.

While some plants that had overgrown their spaces were removed, many more new plants were added. The gentle winds and soft rains of Spring will welcome Knock Out roses, Veronica, Dwarf Shasta Daisies, Stella Daylilies, Zebra Grass, Dwarf Lilacs and Rose of Sharon. The symmetrical placement will be restful and uncluttered. The plants were selected for their beauty as well as their minimal needs for water, demonstrating thoughtful environmental planning that reflects Park Hill values.

The subtly fragrant flowers will waft and greet neighbors as they use the library, as will a plaque commemorating this gift and thanking the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. and Park Hill Garden Walk with the quote, If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need, by the Roman philosopher, Cicero.

Sadly, it is true that you cannot please everyone. While watering our new plants this past Fall, I heard from several neighbors as they walked their dog that their beloved canines would really miss sniffing and relieving themselves on the recently removed Juniper bushes.

Despite the olfactory absence for Man’s Best Friend, we hope that our human neighbors will enjoy this continuing collaboration between historic Park Hill institutions.