On Planting Things Every Once in a While

For the past two years, I have been part of a little band of folks who have tried to beautify a forlorn little traffic island that few people actually see.  The traffic island – really a small triangle – sits in the middle of the on ramp to westbound Route 9 from Centre Street in Newton Highlands.  For years, the spot had been overgrown with crabgrass and had been a dumping spot for trash, glass, and other refuse.  For one of the Newton Serves projects in 2012 we decided to clean the island, till it, and plant what we hoped would be the beginnings of a little oasis.

The oasis flourished, and the local neighbors started to come out and tend the area.  It’s become a little less of an eyesore, and has now started to pop with a little color with the addition this year of Day Lilies and Catamount. 

Right now the island is a little choked with crabgrass, but I’ll be out there this Sunday doing my bit to clean it back out.  One more year and the mulch and our plantings will have completely crowded out the weeds.  At least, that’s the hope.

You might wonder what all this has to do with running for Alderman.  Well, in simple terms, very little.  In the broader context however, I do think that we can all take responsibility for some small portion of our City in either making it more habitable, more beautiful, or even just work a little better.  For some of us, that means picking up trash we see on the street when we walk.  For others, it means looking after or planting new street trees.  And for others, it means adopting, planting and then – belatedly – weeding a lonely traffic island in the middle of traffic near Route 9.

By the way, if you’re interested in helping out and getting your hands dirty, I plan to be there at around 10 on Sunday morning.  I’ll probably go Saturday if Sunday looks like rain.

Chris Steele is running for the city-wide office of Alderman at Large, Ward 5.  You can learn more at www.steele4newton.org or by contacting him at steelch@yahoo.com