 Richview Library Project
by Rosemary Tessier
A few years ago, Jean Meagher, WHS member and prime mover, proposed that our club volunteer to improve the landscaping around the Richview Library. It seemed like a great community project and one that would raise our profile in the area. Jean managed to connect with the branch manager of Richview and found her enthusiastic. The next problem was money: soil amendments, mulch, and some plants would have to be purchased. The 2004 budget allowed funds for the project and on April 30th, 2004, work began.
The original plan envisioned low-maintenance planting in the 2 beds on the south side of the parking lot, and something in the shaded beds by the front doors. But when our eager workers began to dig in the shaded beds, they discovered a gold mine of shrubs, including 31 barberries, 11 cotoneasters, 3 variegated elders, a small Japanese maple and various evergreens. The plants required sun but had been crowded in much too close together in shade. No wonder they had sat there sulking and not growing for several years! So, the plan expanded to moving them to better locations.
In addition, there were 7 stumps from trees cut down some years ago in the beds. Removing tree stumps by hand is no mean feat. Fortunately, Domenic Mauti and Ricky DeRoia were equal to the task and those stumps came out!
The 2 rectangular beds were planted with variegated goutweed, donated by Nancy Mueller. Nancy also donated Pachysandra for one of the shady beds. The silver birch in the larger bed is now surrounded by shade-tolerant sweet woodruff (donated by Bev Dawson). Bev designed the bed to include Lamium, Hostas, Ajuga, and some other shade friendly plants. Some barberries and the elders have been moved to the grassy area beside the west side sidewalk. Evergreen shrubs, including one donated by Bev, are now in sunny spots. Barberries and cotoneasters are now planted against the east and west walls. Jean donated a trumpet-vine to grow up the high fence on the west side.
The volunteers (in alphabetical order): Carole Barry, Bev and Bob Dawson, Ann and Ricky DeRoia, Gordon Forgrave, Rodney Galbraith, Dorothy Heggum, Pam Maggiotto, Eleanor Martin, Domenic Mauti, Jean Meagher, Nancy Mueller, Antje Tyedmers, and Helen Whiteman.
In the fall of 2004, the Richview Library thanked the Westway club with a Tea Reception, during which the Library administration presented the club with a plaque celebrating the garden rejuvenation project. This plaque was subsequently mounted on the wall near the gardens.
In the spring of 2005, the project continued: volunteers transplanted shrubs, cleaned out and fertilized beds, used up 4 rolls of landscape cloth, and bagged, delivered and spread 120 (!!!) bags of wood chips. And, much of the work was done in the wind, rain and snow pellets!
Richview Library demonstrated its appreciation by inviting Westway to participate in its "garage sale" in June.
In October, 2005, the City of Toronto acknowledged the work done at the Richview site by giving Westway one of the "Clean and Beautiful City" Appreciation Awards. (2005-10-22) |
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