Dear Editor:
Starting from 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 8 dozens of neighbors will gather in Van Vorst Park to further develop our Park’s sixteen community gardens. We’ll be planting dozens of roses, creating a bluestone walking path through the children’s gardens and pointing cobblestones.
We’re also asking everybody to bring food or soft drinks to help us celebrate. You can bring a bag of potato chips or cook a special dish of yours. It can serve a few or it can serve many. When you come to plant, leave your brunch food and drinks by the gazebo. At around 2 p.m., gardeners will begin to take brunch breaks.
Thanks to the 120 neighbors who attended our giant spring planting this past May 5. After the 2000 plants planted that day, the totals of Van Vorst Park’s community gardens passed 30,000 plants. We believe this makes these the largest community gardens in the Garden State of New Jersey. In particular we want to thank Gabriole Van Bryce for designing and guiding the planting of the last two garden areas between the gazebo and the viewing fountain. Her awesome leadership and the hard work of her 70 helpers completed the Park gardens in style, and a Camelot-type atmosphere has appeared ever since. Thanks to Bar-b-quing Joe Bower and other food helpers.
Thanks also to Stan Lee for his work on all the Park’s sidewalk tree holes, on fixing anything broken in the Park (like the drinking fountain) and for creating most of the Park’s devices like the watering shower for toddlers. Thanks to Inga Heuser, Gwen Shook and Ann Bowers who lead our local children’s play group at Grace Church Van Vorst and who are caring for our new sandbox area by constantly cleaning it and covering it over at night. Because of their responsible help, we have the first public sandbox in Jersey City. Thanks to Linda Velwest and Stephanie Daniels of the Garden Pre-School for their incredible work with the Children’ gardens (and the other 12 garden captains.) Thanks to Frank Corrolle, Paul and John from Public Works who helped anchor the cobblestone borders and the “storytelling circle” with cement. Thanks to Rodney Hadley of Forestry who helped with the many planting-related logistics. And thanks to Kevin Sluka and Bret Schundler for remaining true to this Park vision.
The community’s vision for the renovation of historic Van Vorst Park has always included but reached beyond beauty and historical appropriateness. This vision has been borne of love and has sought to promote love. Over the years our efforts have replaced drug dealers with friendly neighbors, and toddlers who can now securely enjoy this Park. Please come Sunday, July 8.
Dr. Clifford Waldman
FVVP Co-Chairman & VVP Construction Advisor