9 July 2025 – You already know I’m a great fan of Vancouver’s Green Streets Program, the pilot project with 15 volunteers that now numbers hundreds of volunteers city-wide, tending traffic-circle and street-corner gardens.
So I always notice them, as I pass — including, earlier today, the one in the traffic circle at St. George and East 10th.
But even I, doting as I may be, have to acknowledge that this one is pretty scruffy.
It’s definitely a work in progress. “Shaggy” is the kindest word I can offer for the state of the foliage.
On the other hand! There’s a metal table and two chairs, and flagstone pathways that invite pedestrians to step out of the city and enjoy a quiet moment in the garden.
The furniture is graceful, a pretty ceramic mug rests on the chequered table-top, and, look, flowers bloom in a ceramic plant pot hanging on the back of that directional sign.
Even so, I would not bother to show you any of this…
but for the words written on the back of the opposite directional sign.
“To the people who have been taking care of my traffic circle, Thank You. I’ve been too busy so far this year. Love your work!!! Hope to meet you”
Pretty terrific, eh?
WALKING WOMAN 
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
/ 9 July 2025That is terrific. Even if it’s not the best example of volunteer roundabout gardening, the work is appreciated. Lovely.
icelandpenny
/ 10 July 2025Yes I agree. I think I’m drawn to it, because it’s a good e.g. of my belief that any gift is the intention — the intention to do something generous & kind for somebody — and not the object or action: they’re just the follow-through. If they’re any good, that’s a bonus. Here, the gift is the anonymous act of kindness; that the follow-through is imperfect if, for me, almost irrelevant.
Bronlima
/ 10 July 2025Wonderful…. if only the world could……….never mind, we have to settle for these lovely initiatives.
Mary C
/ 16 July 2025Scruffy is better than not at all. Also, as a person with very limited green thumb skills, I can appreciate how a garden doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will. Nature has a mind of her own!
icelandpenny
/ 18 July 2025Scruffy is indeed better than not at all! (The perfect is the enemy of the good, etc.) The intention of this mystery gardener is so generous, that we can then only applaud & love the results, just as they are