A large crowd popped over to the Westport Community Gardens yesterday, for a 20th anniversary pop-up event.
People of all ages wandered through the 100-plus individual plots. They marveled at the wide variety of plants; watched the bees and butterflies; admired the pergola and bocce court; chatted with the gardeners — and picked up plenty of vegetables, herbs and flowers too.
(Photos/Karen Mather)
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Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup highlighted Westport Pride’s promotion of a permanent rainbow crosswalk downtown, at Jesup Road and Taylor Place.
Fundraising efforts had already brought in $18,000. But $14,500 more was needed, for materials, labor and installation.
By nightfall, the entire amount had been pledged.
The outpouring of support — from members of the LGBTQ+ community, and beyond — was very heartening, Pride members say.
The goal is to have the crosswalk completed by National Coming Out Day (October 11).
For more information, or to get involved, email westportctpride@gmail.com.
Dr. Nikki Gorman helped prepare the temporary crosswalk in June. A permanent one will be installed soon.
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MoCA Westport celebrated its “Kaleidoscope: A Journey of Creativity, Self-Expression & Unity” exhibit yesterday, with a packed house.
The show highlighted artists who have been supported by the MoCA Gives Back healing arts program at the museum, as well as summer camp participants.
Club 203 — Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities — was well represented. MoCA has enjoyed a strong partnership in the club’s initial year, and looks forward to strengthening that relationship even more in the months ahead.
MoCA art teacher Agata Tria and Club 203 artist Elizabeth Sonne.
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Staples High School 2017 graduate Richard Costello is one of many Westporters running in the New York Marathon November 5.
But the former lacrosse player is not just racing for himself. He’s also raising money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
The organization — founded by our late neighbor Paul Newman to provide free, fun opportunities for youngsters facing life-threatening illnesses — is near to Richard’s heart. He volunteered at the Ashford, Connecticut facility several times, and has been awed by the program’s impact on children and their families.
This is Richard’s second marathon. He competed in Philadelphia last fall.
Click here to donate to Richard’s fundraiser.
Richard Costello
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Westport Community Gardens (story above) are not the only place to enjoy beautiful flowers.
Jonathan Prager grows crackerjack marigolds and purple wave petunias at his Owenoke home.
Today he shares them with “06880” readers as our “Westport … Naturally” featured image.
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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And finally … today marks the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington.
It is remembered now for Martin Luther King’s riveting “I Have a Dream” speech.
But there was much more — including powerful musical performances.
Marian Anderson sang, 24 years after her first famous concert at the Lincoln Memorial (after the Daughters of the American Revolution prevented her from singing at Constitution Hall).
I could not find any videos of her, at the March on Washington.
But here are 3 other performances, from 60 years ago today:
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Yes, it was a wonderful crowd at yesterday’s Westport Community Garden’s 20th Anniversary Pop up! I think Westporters are really acknowledging what an irreplaceable asset WCG is to the town! Here’s to many more years of happy gardening and shared events with the community. Happy Anniversary WCG!
Please help us save Westport’s Community Gardens! It’s a vital learning center for new and seasoned gardeners and a true Westport treasure. I strongly believe as a beekeeper and an avid pollinator protector, that we desperately need this resource in our community to offset the proliferation of harmful pesticides used to keep lawns looking like golf courses, countless trees being cut down for new development, and the adverse effects of climate change. The WCG are so much more than just a garden, they are a small solution to helping to educate our community on the importance of helping to change the way we think about our planet.
I visited the Community Garden yesterday with a friend and was amazed at the variety of flowers, plants and vegetables. It would be criminal to have that garden be destroyed! I heard they want it for another baseball field. Don’t we have ENOUGH of them? We even have a preserve at the site. So interesting a volunteers explained what goes on there and pointed out the different flowers and veggies. I am considering buying a plot there and I hope I am given the opportunity!!!!
Sounds like it is time to expand the LL garden. And maybe also put a new one on Winslow Park? Why is this an either/or question?
Thank you Dan Woog for sharing photos of the WCG! It was such a happy, old-fashioned kind of day filled with wonderful conversations with all walks of life. I hope we have many more events like this in the future to bring our town folks of all stripes together. And just a heartfelt thank you for highlighting every day all the fascinating, interesting aspects of Westport. We are so blessed. And yes – America was blessed to have Martin Luther King shape our Country for the better with his I Have A Dream speech 60 years ago today! Feeling very grateful today!
At this point, the fact that the destruction of the Westport Community Gardens and Lots Longs Preserve is still on the table is bordering on mean and cruel. I witness daily my fellow gardeners, whom in aggregate have volunteered over 10,000 hours of physical labor to steward this land into a showpiece of biodiversity, being forced to devote countless hours of their own time and money and endure the considerable stress of uncertainty in order to battle back the land grab by the Long Lots Building Committee.
We all know that relocation is tantamount to destruction and as such, the the LLBC should move on and stop wasting their time by even considering the possibility of destruction/relocation of the Gardens and Preserve. It is unsettling and disappointing to see not only the gardeners but the countless hundreds of Westporters and Westport businesses who have voiced support be completely ignored.
Loneliness has been defined an urgent public health crisis, and the importance of human interaction, having a sense of community, and immersion in nature has real and significant physical and mental health benefits to all; from families with small children who are teaching and modeling responsible land stewardship, healthy eating and patience to our aging and elderly neighbors trying to age in place with success and meaning.
If anything, the Gardens and Preserve should be treasured, replicated and held up as an example of how a town and its citizens publicly declare who we are and what we value at the inflection point in which we all find ourselves. The environment is in peril, the appetite for new construction seems to go unabated and trees are being cutdown for mere convenience. It is a false equivalence to equally value a baseball field, of which we have many, to the Gardens and Preserve, of which we have one.
Yes, that’s what I think it is cruel, and that is why I restate,
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
I can only hope we find a way to work out a resolution to leave the gardens intact. It truly is a special place in Westport. Let’s not have to reminisce about how wonderful the garden was and what a shame it couldn’t have been saved.
Unless there are electronic signs or something how does a crosswalk cost $32,500?
Good question. Modern crosswalks do not use traditional paint and instead use materials that bond permanently to the pavement. They also have to meet current federal and state requirements regarding materials and visibility.
The rainbow crosswalk is made of a thermoplastic material called DecoMark that is heat fused to the asphalt. The same material can be seen on the newer crosswalks in downtown on Main Street and Church Street for example.
The material can have a life expectancy of up to 10 years and is generally in line with the cost and maintenance of similar modern crosswalks. This colorful material was used locally to construct Norwalk’s Rainbow Crosswalk in 2021.
For more information about the project take a look at https://www.westportpride.org/crosswalk