August 28, 2010
Dear Green Partners,
The community’s long dream of the North Columbia Heights Green is coming true. Stage Two sitework is now complete, and we are now at last doing the fun part of planting and furnishing the Green! Here’s what’s been done:
• Nearly all the rubble (many truckloads) has been excavated and removed.
• The stormwater engineering, grading, fence, gate, kiosk, bollards, and parking are all
complete.
• Most of the butterfly garden is in.
• The raised bed garden frames are constructed and installed.
• The first layer of topsoil is down.
Here are the next steps:
1. Spread the rest of the topsoil and mulch.
2. Add organic compost to the planting beds.
3. Install rain barrels.
4. Construct the pavilion and greenhouse.
5. Install and paint the storage space.
6. Set up the compost area.
7. Plant the Rain Garden.
8. Plant the Berry Patch.
9. Plant the Grape Arbor.
10. Plant the trees (including fruit trees such as serviceberry).
11. Add children’s art, play, and discovery features.
12. Install solar lighting.
The next Work Day at the Green will take place in conjunction with Columbia Heights Clean-Up Day next Saturday, September 4, from 9-1. At 12 Noon, we will have a ceremony to celebrate the beginning of planting the garden plots. Next month, we will begin using the Green as a base of green job training. We are planning a full range of programs and planting for the Fall. Winter crops will include hardy
greens for salads and cooking, herbs, garlic, turnips, radishes, and sweet potatoes. We are now signing up gardeners and other partners. If you know of youth, school, or community groups wanting to do programs at the Green, or if you know of people, groups, or businesses who would like to plant Fall and Winter crops in the Green, please let us know. Thanks for all that you have done through the years to make this happen.
Happy gardening and greening!
Steve Coleman
Washington Parks & People
