Tending Patricia’s Green (and beyond)
by Henry Osten

I moved to Hayes Valley a year ago and created the role of coordinator for volunteer garden days in Patricia’s Green. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way for me to jump into the fabric of the neighborhood and make friends fast. Last month, on April 26, twenty-three of us joined in the biggest and most thorough scrubbing of Patricia’s Green ever. While not everyone had green thumbs, five teams of weed pullers, shrub pruners, pavement washers, graffiti removers and gardeners came together in the spirit of community and dirty hands. SF Rec and Park staff gardener, Todd Sucy, graciously coordinated our work on his regular day off, as City staff could never do what we accomplished with current staffing levels.

Our recent late rain came as a blessing. Both Patricia’s Green and nearby Koshland Park (an urban dream at Buchanan and Page) are now in full spring glory. If you haven’t gotten out for a stroll in our parks, you’re missing out! Please be aware that the planters are off limits! Children and dogs enjoy exploring them, but can be very harmful.

Unfortunately, all isn’t so pretty with the graffiti in the neighborhood and charming Linden Street a hot spot. Even the the Peace sculpture was targeted over a recent night, but cleaned up the next day by Bicycle Bob’s Graffiti Watch team.

Stay out of the planters! Photo: Paul Olsen

Graffiti Watch volunteers have helped mitigate graffiti on public property around the Green since this past fall. Last month, Bob attended the City’s Graffiti summit with over 200 interested citizens to learn how they can help stem the spread of such vandalism. The City makes it possible for community members to get involved by providing training, tools, paint and support to take back your sidewalk, block and neighborhood. I’m a regular graffiti cleaner, and I tell you there is no better way to get to know your neighbor. Thanks go out to Keishu (aka David) Resident Manager of Bridge Housing at 333 Fell Street for providing a permanent home to our local Graffiti Watch team’s supplies.

Now with Patricia’s Green looking good I’ve make a commitment to tend to the sidewalk planters on the East side of Octavia between Hayes and Oak. While the boulevard leading to Patricia’s Green may not quite be the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, it’s got potential to be a fine street. It needs your help as much as Patricia’s Green. Anyone willing to join me with a Greening movement down to Market Street?

Garden Days on Patricia’s Green will be Saturdays May 23 and July 18. Koshland Park days are normally the 2nd Saturday each month. Your neighbors are waiting to meet you.

Email green@hayesvalleysf.org for more information about any of these activities.