Three Neighbors Make Green Magic on West 104th St.
At the foot of the block beside the Number 5 bus stop is a beautiful garden. If you crossed to Riverside Park on the uptown side of the street, you saw another on the island that divides Riverside Drive from the service road. Have you wondered who created them and cares for them? It’s your dedicated green thumb neighbors Ira and Karen Gershenhorn and Dru Heidle, all residents of 320 Riverside Drive.
In 1989, Karen and her husband Ira became Park Tenders, the title that the Riverside Park Conservatory gives to those volunteers who care for specific areas. “Being invited to work in the bus stop garden was our welcome to the neighborhood,” says Karen. Dru remembers looking down from her window at the gardens before she began lending a hand. “I started planting in the large cement planters in front of 320, then met Ira and Karen and began helping. It was pretty rough looking then—nothing like it looks now.”
Using Olmstead’s Principles
The Riverside Park Conservancy has strict rules about what what can be planted in the park’s gardens. These rules follow “Olmsteadian” principles, which discourage suburban garden flora like colorful annuals, invasive grasses or anything edible. Sight lines into the park must be maintained. Nearly all the plantings are perennial, although annuals that re-seed themselves are allowed. The Conservancy provides plants, compost, mulch, large bags for cleaning up leaves and dead plants, and some tools, which are stored in the park’s Volunteer House at 107th St. Water and storage for the island garden is provided by 320 Riverside. The bus stop garden gets water from the Tot Lot water connection; Dru uses a hose on a watering cart donated by the Block Association.
Island in the Shade
A decade ago, Karen decided to reclaim the island in front of 320 RSD and received permission from the Conservancy to adopt the area. “There were some plantings near the fence,” she recalls, “but those had been neglected and a patchy, muddy area had literally gone to the dogs—and rats. I ripped out all the English ivy and poison ivy, getting a bad case myself, and started planting. I am currently in the process of putting in vinca. Other plants in the area include ferns, Solomon’s Seal (the tall, variegated-leafed plants) hellebores and hostas.”
The Bus Stops Here
Dru is the main gardener now at the bus stop garden, with much appreciated assistance from Karen. The garden’s plantings have evolved over time. Some years ago it had rose bushes, a few hostas, and lots of grass, day lilies and violets. Two flowering pear trees and a cherry tree, now gone, were planted in memory of loved ones by block residents. This tradition has been continued in the form of the lilac bushes and a rose bush now growing in the plot.
Over time, Dru has concentrated on adding flowers and plants that attract bees and butterflies. Fifteen years ago, when she began working on the garden, it did not get much sun. Full sun plants, which tend to be more colorful, were confined to the southeast corner, where phlox and Echinacea bloomed. Then six years ago, a major storm brought down three large trees that had shaded the garden. With them gone, says Dru, “We now had a primarily sunny garden, which resulted in more opportu- nity for color and interest.”
Extreme Gardening
Ira, affectionately dubbed “ the rat man” by Karen and Dru for his indefatigable help ridding both gardens of rats over the years, stopped gardening locally a few years ago in favor of more neglected spots, though he will still pitch in from time to time. He works primarily at Hudson Beach, Fort Washington Park, and at various spots along the Hudson River. These areas are neglected he feels, because they are in neighborhoods that are not pricey.
In the summer the three volunteers spend at least 10 hours a week doing what they all call “extreme gardening”—more if there’s a drought that requires heavy watering. Upkeep includes planting, weeding, pruning, removing garbage and dog waste, dividing plants, watching for pest infestations and diseased plants, mulching, raking leaves in the fall and spring, cleaning debris out of the storm drains, etc. They welcome contributions of tools and other garden gear, since they pay for those themselves and they often wear out.
As official ParkTenders, they also keep an eye out for fallen branches, give directions and answer people’s questions about the park and its flora. They continue to have to educate people not to throw garbage into the gardens. That can be the least of their worries. “People will steal plants, and even re-sell them,” says Dru. On the positive side, both Karen and Dru are grateful for the thanks of passersby who comment how much they appreciate their hard work in making the neighborhood more beau- tiful, or the eager questions of children.
In the end, the gardens give each something that they value. “I like to see stuff grow,” says Ira. “I love when an area fills in and to see the interplay of flowers and leaves.” Dru agrees: “It’s very rewarding to see the progress you’ve made.” And Karen sees both personal and communal benefits. “It’s meditative, and cheap therapy,” she says. “And the birds and the bees help, too. I enjoy making our neighborhood more beautiful for everyone to enjoy.”
To learn more about being a Park Tender,
go to www.riversidepark conservancy.org/Volunteer.html.