Historical September–October 2012 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
This year the tour visited Kingsbury Square. Many of us do not usually have a chance to visit Kingsbury Square, but it is very much a part of Skinker DeBaliviere.
We usually limit BG Tour gardens to backyards because front yards in most parts of Skinker DeBaliviere are always available, but in Kingsbury Square many residents have no backyard, so they make the most of their front or side yard, which makes for a very colorful and beautiful neighborhood.
On our way to Kingsbury Square, we visited the Block Unit 1035 Community Garden, and two new art installation planters which will beautify two areas that are getting nicer every year.
We also saw a gorgeous waterfall in a newer home and a brand new yard just created in an older home. At the home of Janice Bierman on the 5900 block of Kingsbury, cascades with three pools holding beautiful goldfish are graced with cattails, water lilies, papyrus, and the rocks are adorned with wildflowers, ground-covers, and seasonal plantings like the pansies, which survived the mild winter. Lucier Park Planters In an effort to keep Lucier Park attractive, block captain Eric Trudo created these two planters, painted by residents of the 5900 block of DeGiverville and neighbors from all around Skinker DeBalviere. Dennis Evans and other neighbors donated the flowers as well as the plantings next to the planters, and worked to install the planters on Planting Day this past May 12th.
They will be watered by neighbors Jamie and Theresa Kenyon.
This colorful project will brighten Lucier Park for years to come. Planters at Laurel and Kingsbury These freshly-painted planters were given a classy new look with the help of the Saint Roch 4th grade Girl Scouts, in conjunction with the SD Beautification Committee, just in time for the tour.
They are a nice accent to Kingsbury Square! Much of Marlene Mestres’ garden on the 5700 block of Kingsbury consists of plants given to her by friends mingled with her theme of yellow and white flowers which reflect the colors of the house. Marlene has surprise lilies that have been handed down for three generations, and she will pass these on to her own grandchildren. Karen Kelsey and Tom Urbom live on the 5700 block of Westminster Place. One of the few secluded gardens in Kingsbury Square, this garden would be unseen from the street, except that Karen and Tom opened the view by installing a wrought iron fence, in place of the old wooden wall, because folks in Kingsbury Square like to share their yards!
We look forward to next year’s garden tour, the first Saturday in June. Until then, stop by and see what your community gardeners are raising in our two great community gardens.
Original photograph caption
Garden waterfall and planting on Breakfast Garden Tour. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2012.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2012_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
