Background
A few years ago the footing of the "DO NOT ENTER $75 FINE" sign at Domingo and Hazel was replaced with a rectangular island filled with wood chips, a tiny plant in a recessed hole and then later, painted red. After waiting to see if anything more was going to be done, and being short of sun on my own property, I put in some Kabocha squash and offered the product up to the neighbors at harvest time. Another neighbor joined in and planted some beans from his kitchen cupboard. Unfortunately, these were crowded out by the squash, but it was a heartfelt effort and added to the community feeling of the space. The following year I planted corn. Volunteer cherry tomatoes sprouted from the worm compost used to start the seeds.
Every time I went there to weed or water, neighbors stopped by and commented on how much they enjoyed watching things grow here and how great it was to have fresh grown, delicious sweet corn (Kabocha squash was less familiar; I should have put up some recipes...)
Earlier this year I had an encounter with the City of Berkeley gardener responsible for the area who informed me of all the municipal codes I was violating by cutting back his "experimental" plant (an allergen-producing relative of the diseased tree that recently fell in Oak Park) and planting on "city property" without permission. It was an unpleasant experience to say the least, given the non-existent effort being made to do anything worthwhile with the space, as well as the complete lack of any other communication with the neighborhood about how it might be made less offensive.
According to Councilmember Wozniak, the City of Berkeley no longer has the resources to maintain landscaping on traffic diverters. In fact, the City expects a neighborhood group to assume this responsibility. By casting your vote regarding what to do with this diverter (I call it Red Square, but maybe Red Quad would be more appropriate) you will be taking the first step toward something lovely, and hopefully delicious, happening in our neighborhood.
If you want to help plan and garden, please indicate this in the comments section after you vote!
Thank you for your participation.
Background written by Rachel Resnikoff
Councilmember Gordon Wozniak's Perspective
Dear Neighbors near Domingo and Hazel:
Rachel Resnikoff is proposing to use the traffic diverter at the corner of Domingo and Hazel as a community vegetable garden. The City of Berkeley does not have the resources to maintain landscaping on traffic diverters, and has no objection to this proposal.
There was some confusion about this, as Ms. Resnikoff was told by a city gardener that there was a list of approved plants, and her choices were not on the list.
After researching this issue, I have determined that the City does maintain a list of recommended plants, that Ms. Resnikoff's plants are not on this list, but these are merely recommendations, not rules. Each neighborhood is free to determine which plants to grow in its traffic diverter. If you are told otherwise by City employees, please refer them to me.
So, it is up to you. Whatever you choose, I will support you - as long as you form a neighborhood garden committee to take responsibility for planting and maintaining this garden.
Please use Kitchen Democracy to post your vote and/or opinion about the choice of plants in the garden and to volunteer your participation in the garden committee.
Happy Gardening!
Sincerely,
Gordon Wozniak
Councilmember, District 8