Between Harrison and Republican streets on 13th Avenue East you'll find a special garden. Free from the hustle and bustle of urban living, it exists as a quiet sanctuary for peace and contemplation.
The garden was created and maintained for many years by Gary "Pepe" Krukowski. His care and love for the garden has only grown over the years, but after suffering from an illness, Pepe, who has been HIV positive for the last 25 years and suffers from serious back pain as well, is no longer able to provide the attention he once did for the garden.
As a gesture of thanks and appreciation, Pepe's neighbors gathered on Saturday, May 6, to give back to Pepe what he provided for them. The garden had been untended for more than six months, until neighbors got together to lend a helping hand for a friend in need.
Flowers and plants populate the garden, with various little patches of color placed here and there. Passersby quickly notice the thought and dedication put into the garden. The garden showed the work of one man hoping to provide something for his neighbors.
"Pepe calls it an urban oasis," said David Hekman, a neighbor who lives in the adjacent apartment building who helped organize the cleanup.
The double lot on which the garden is located is owned by the woman who also owns the Jade Pagoda on Broadway. She decided to allow Pepe to construct a garden on the property after his insistence paid off.
"Pepe planted some wildflowers here and began talking with the owner," said Warren Munzel, another neighbor.
Those wildflowers soon grew. Over time Pepe added new plants, and there is now a plethora of plant life, some local and some exotic. The owner of the property is quite happy with the property, and she has no current interest in selling the lot.
"As long as she holds onto it, the garden will still be here," said Hekman.
At the entrance to the garden, there is a candle and sign asking for donations at the entrance. These donations help to pay for the addition of new plants and for the general upkeep.
"Pepe started by trading plants. He has spent a lot of money on this garden," said Munzel.
While the garden has been cared for by Pepe for more than 17 years, it is also helped by neighbors and an involved community. The apartment buildings and adjacent houses provide the garden with free water and electricity, so the garden can be lit up at night.
Neighbors have enjoyed the garden since it helps to provide welcome relief from the stress of an urban environment. Hekman noted that the garden is a great place for quiet reflection. The solitude of the garden helps to make it a distinguishable asset to the surrounding neighborhood.
"[Pepe] wanted to give something back to the community, sort of a living, growing memorial," said Patti Jones.
Pepe tended the garden until last summer, but a decline in his health has meant that he could not continue the task. As a measure of their appreciation, his neighbors decided to give Pepe something back.
They organized a day in which they would tend to Pepe's garden. An enthusiastic response from the community and guidance from Pepe helped provide the momentum to return the garden to its accustomed state.
While most of the neighbors had little gardening or horticulture experience, helping hands made up for any lack of expertise. Neighbors spent the day trimming plants, removing weeds and clearing the path which winds its way throughout the garden.
By the end of the day, more than 940 lbs. of predatory plants such as English ivy and morning glory were removed and hauled to a processing facility by the 28 volunteers who took part. Businesses and individuals also helped by donating coffee, pizza, bottled water and cake.
Judging by last Saturday's response, the neighbors hope to make garden cleanup and upkeep a regular monthly event. In so doing, they hope to honor Pepe's contribution to their lives. On the first Saturday of each month is now targeted as a garden day, as neighbors plan to restore Pepe's garden to its original well-kept condition.
"As long as the garden is here I'll stick around," said Pepe.
Next month on June 3, there will be another Saturday of clean-up at Pepe's garden, this time focusing on moving the garden supplies, currently covered by a tarp.
William Crane is an intern with the Capitol Hill Times. He can be reached at editor@capitolhill times.com.[[In-content Ad]]
