Vermont Avenue Triangle is Transformed

That is one ugly "Before" picture.

First, who wouldn't be seriously impressed by the announcement of this "Garden Party" to make gardens out of a traffic island at Vermont, Florida and V Street, N.W.?  Plus 6 blocks of median strip stretching down both Vermont and 9 1/2 Street.  I WAS seriously impressed, so I visited the gang last Saturday to see the site and the transformation in action.  And here's the result - that long-dreamed of "After."

Ah, that's better.  And just imagine how it'll look a couple of years from now.

CREDIT goes to the Westminster Neighborhood Association and the East Enders, plus their many donors, including Councilman Graham and ANC Commissioner Spalding and a major contribution from UrbanLand for the Floridian condos - "Thanx" Gerard!

The Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association provided funds (up to $500), helped solicit additional donations, volunteers and secured the grant from the ANC. 

THE PLANTS
Project Main Man Jeff Willis tells me the volunteers planted junipers, ornamental grasses, "Happy Returns" daylilies, "Knockout" roses and Wave petunias (all my favorites). Excellent sustainable plants, Jeff. Clearly the folks who chose the plants knew a thing or two.

So what's left to do?  Maintenance!

LANDSCAPE CARE-GIVERS NEEDED
Proud gardeners are needed to "adopt" a section near their home to water, weed and clean throughout the year.  They don't have to do all the work, just be sure it gets done.  Andy, Barry, myself, Tania, Matt, Valerie & Margie have agreed to be Care-givers.  Neighbors living in the northern end of the 1800 VT block or the middle of the 1900 VT block, would you be a Care-giver? Call Jeffrey at 202.518.9446. or via email.

People in photos:  ANC Commissioner Phil Spalding, in the green hat with other hard-workers; on the right, James Rawlings creates his fourth brick path for this multiple-year project; lower left, 2007 D.C. Master Gardener graduate Mandie Yanasak (in green T-shirt) with friends.  Another 2007 D.C. Master Gardener, Martin Mounton, was on the scene wearing his I heart Shaw t-shirt and I wish I'd gotten a post-worthy photo of him.  Just take my word for it.

Posted by Susan Harris

Comments

[R. Peterson]

Hi Guys,

I walk past the triangle every weekday on my way to work and I always thought wouldn't it be nice to see something beautiful growing there. I've been to Paris, France a few times and everywhere you look there are parks filled with flowers, fountains, arbors dripping with flowers, colorful flower-filled planters hanging from windowsills - just an incredible array of flowers and beauty everywhere.

And lo and behold one day as I'm walking past the triangle I see all these little flowers and greenery popping up - it's wonderful - I wondered who planted all those flowers - someone read my mind. I try to keep my little street and front yard clean and filled with flowers but it's an uphill battle - but I'm hanging in there.

Thanks much - it's lovely,

Please sign me up - I'm getting old and I'm not real strong but I can be a gardners helper!

R. Peterson