Volunteers needed to help maintain green spaces

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Beach residents Lorraine Blanchard and Shirley Law have spent countless hours this summer tidying up and replanting a series of small gardens near the TTC's Connaught Yard.

The green spaces, located along Queen Street East near Connaught Avenue, used to be maintained by a group of local volunteers but for a variety of reasons the gardens fell into a poor state about two years ago.

Blanchard, an area resident for 16 years, battled breast cancer last summer, while Law, a lifelong Leslievillian, took some time off to spend with her now-deceased mother. Another volunteer moved away, and some just feel off the radar, Blanchard explained.

"There's just been nobody looking after it. I'll tell ya, it's been a labour of love but people are starting to notice," Blanchard said, adding they filled up 100 garden waste bags while cleaning up the site.

"It's a lot of work but it's fun," Law added, noting that one day they arrived to work on the site and found that an anonymous local resident had planted some black-eyed Susan bushes.

Earlier this summer, Blanchard said that she also got in touch with Ward 32 (Beaches-East York) Councillor Sandra Bussin for a little bit of assistance from the city. She was able to point the women in the right direction and obtain some funds and supplies for the gardens.

Blanchard and Law also said that local businesses, especially the neighbouring East End Garden Centre, have been a big help.

The TTC has also contributed to the neighbourhood beautification effort by donating some cobblestones to line the gardens.

A charming wrought iron fence now lines the gardens while large white stones are a perfect spot to stop for a little break while walking the dog, Blanchard pointed out.

Area residents are invited to a community planting at the gardens from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Sept. 7. Blanchard and Law especially hope a few strong men will come out and help left some large bushes and trees they've received.

"We would also like if some people came out and picked up the garbage or weeded and watered the gardens," she added.

Anyone interested in helping out or donating supplies should call Lorraine Blanchard at 416-461-9583.