The Selfless Gardener of Hecate & Kennedy

[riverrat]

Does anyone know this guy? He lives on the corner of Hecate & Kennedy downtown, and he is constantly developing not only his own property's greenspace, but the spaces around his yard as well.

• He has free trees in pots that people are invited to take
• He's planted a row of trees with circles of stones around them, in the vacant space beside the tracks and the Islamic Centre on Hecate
• Not sure if he's the one who setup that handy seating at the corner - a couple of wire armchairs with strawberries growing almost up and through them

[Nostradama]

Does anyone know this guy? He lives on the corner of Hecate & Kennedy downtown, and he is constantly developing not only his own property's greenspace, but the spaces around his yard as well.

• He has free trees in pots that people are invited to take
• He's planted a row of trees with circles of stones around them, in the vacant space beside the tracks and the Islamic Centre on Hecate
• Not sure if he's the one who setup that handy seating at the corner - a couple of wire armchairs with strawberries growing almost up and through them

I'd love to see that, and I'd love to hear more about the mystery gardener. Wish there were more people like that.

[Harewoodian]

I believe you are talking of David Livingston

[DarronC]

If those people had permission to garden and the 'Machete man" destroyed it, shouldn't he be charged and also sued in small claims court for trespass, destruction of property, etc? Who is this 'Machete man'? It's weird that the RCMP wouldn't be on someone for brandishing a machete on someone else's property.

[queen of the waterfront]

He often puts in uncommon/ edible types. If anyone has room to grow nut/fruit trees, or just wants to chat garden, I think he wouldn't mind if you left your contact info at Nanaimo Community Gardens--they know him.

Some fourish years ago, a homeless friend of mine from the US obtained permission to start a small patch of edibles by the Native Victory Chapel, in the south end, to benefit the community. He and Adam(young busker here a few years ago) cleared some invasive Himalayan Blackberry vines to make space, leaving a thick bramble border for wildlife. They put in some rock-work, and even built a bench from scrap wood. The place was starting to look really good. Despite the spur-of-the-moment start from scratch and total lack of money to work with, Chapel residents soon cooked with the herbs, and anyone could--and did--pick fresh salads daily.
After maybe three or more months of work, a neighbor hacked everything up with a machete. At the next Princess Royal community meeting, Macheteman got a raucous round of applause from the entire room for destroying the work of the homeless 'drug addicts' they wanted to shoo away who cares where. I think US guy and Adam both left Nanaimo soon afterwards, and it is definitely our loss.

Generous thoughtful beautiful skillful useful I love D's work.

Adam is the young man who received 7 twenty-one day sentences for protesting a bylaw. He is traveling the country with his girlfriend and hopefully will be back soon. I met him when he was learning to play recorder. A nice kid, hardworking and good hearted.His mom is an artist in Cobble hill I think. She does beautiful glasswork.
I did not know about his garden efforts. Very cool!

[kickidee]

I recognized Adam right away in the thread.
Even if (and Adam was not) these men were drug addicts, why destroy the good they are doing?
Why applaud the destruction of good no matter who achieved it?
Just a group of common citizens whos anger (and probably deserved) overcomes their common sense.
If a needle is left on your lawn or sidewalk for smitty to step on that is one thing.
If the same person creates something usefull from nothing applaud that!
Live and let live. Attack the behavior and not the person.
When will we ever learn!?

[riverrat]

Hey all, I need to move this conversation somehow, because this thread was supposed to honor a specific individual (see thread title, etc). I really appreciate all of the comments and would like to keep them up, but I think we need a way of moving them outside of this particular thread. Ideas?

1 - Mention was made of an "Adam" and his efforts - why not start a thread in this particular "forum" about him?

2 - And the story which Nostradama posted and then removed - it was interesting as heck and is going in an interesting direction; but if I move All-Ages's and Foxglove's comments somewhere, without Nostra's post, they'll look silly.

...?

[queen of the waterfront]

Wow River Rat what a job you have!
i thought this was about two unknown heroes who created some beautiful space at no cost to taxpayers and to the delight of a few.

I missed Nostradama's post and am totally lost now.

What about a thread that incorporates local unknown or unsung heroes? Adam fits already in another thread but that thread does not cover his gardening skills or his selflessness. I know we have threads aout famous Nanaimo folk how about one for the small heroes?

[queen of the waterfront]

foxglove wherever you go your honesty will follow!
I can see you making a garden with a little grotto and a round wrought iron table with a red cloth for your Tarot cards.

Surrounded by rosemary and white lilies.

[queen of the waterfront]

I have sheep at the end of my street.
There is also a little park that has wild apple trees. I have rosemary and thyme and other herbs in my garden.
Cabbages but no king. Who needs one? I am the Queen of the waterfront after all!You bring peace to this forum.Perhaps you are the queen of cups?