Tupper Greenway is now a retired MG Project, but the story still needs to be told. Volunteers still maintain this lovely neighborhood feature.
The Tupper Neighborhood Greenway officially opened Saturday June 7, 2008. It was the culmination of a four-year collaborative effort by Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School, Tupper students, community members, the City of Vancouver and Master Gardeners.
The roots of the Greenway were born from sorrow at the loss of a Tupper student, Jomar Lanot, in November 2003 who was tragically attacked on his way home from a basket ball game. Jomar's family stand next to 'Jomar's Rock'.
The whole community came together to create a Healing Garden the size of a city block in the 400 block of East 23rd. Though this part of the street runs in the center of the Sir Charles Tupper School grounds and had been closed for approximately 25 years, the two photos show how underutilized and uninviting the area was before the planting.
Sandy James (also a Master Gardener) from City Hall spearheaded the project as it was officially funded as a Vancouver Greenway Project. The MGs worked with the City Landscape designers to finalise the planting plan. Terry Dixon – City Landscape designer (and Master Gardener) and ten Master Gardeners laid out the planting plan and supervised the community members who planted more than 1,000 plants March 3, 2008. Many people have been enthusiastically involved since the beginning.
A group of Master Gardeners have been committed since that date to helping the community members (neighbours, students and staff at the Tupper School) to learn about the plant materials and how to maintain the garden through the seasons.
The Master Gardeners researched all of the plant materials and created 4 Maintenance Binders to use as a reference.
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Community Gardening Days take place at least once a month. Master Gardeners assist the community on these days by giving advice on general gardening practises, pruning guidelines, new planting plans and how to deal with any plants that are not thriving.
Building friendships, laughing, having fun and bringing new life to this previously untended area while gardening and being out in nature has been highly rewarding for the Master Gardeners working on this project. Above is our annual Strawberry Cream Tea.
