Below is an interview with Kim Barnes of the Friends of Lafayette Park (FOLP) on how the idea of planting lavender in Lafayette Park became a reality. FOLP and RPD have a Work Day at Lafayette Park the first Saturday of each month from 9 AM to 12 PM. Contact: Kim Barnes (415) 321-4342.
How did the idea for lavender come about? Kim: We asked the Friends of Lafayette Park what they wanted. Lavender makes everyone happy. It is colorful without being too gaudy or bland, has motion, is the perfect height, and smells good. It looks good far away and close up. Sort of a description for a nice person, n'est ce pas? It is also ecologically correct as it is drought tolerant and hardy. Additionally, lavender is the perfect planting for a park named after a French general. It is a welcome reprieve from the tired looking and prone-to-messy plantings we have had. One corner is Spanish lavender - the Gough Steps will be Provencal - or grosso and so on. We are very excited and think it will be an inspirational and rather thematic aspect for Lafayette Park.
How were you able to bring lavender to your park? Did you work with any specific department within the Recreation and Park Department? Was your gardener or Park Supervisor instrumental in the planting?
Kim: We have been lobbying to have some say regarding the entrances for some time - to have plantings that made sense and reflected the aesthetics of the people who live on the park, who use it, and who help care for it. The assignment of Joseph Figone, our new Park Supervisor has been a turning point. He has proven to be responsive and interactive, and so far it has been an amazing and symbiotic relationship. Joseph is amazingly dedicated to the park and customer oriented. He donated prunings from the sycamores to Hamlin School and the school girls wove a stunning and fun fence to protect our lovely plantings from roving dogs at Washington and Gough. Best of all, while Joseph is all business, he is also fun and entertaining. We are so happy to have him. And we always want to thank the many gardeners who work with us and NPC - and last but not least each other in the group.
Did you work with any other community partners in this endeavor other than the Hamlin School?
Kim: We are proud to say that we and Sacred Heart students are fast friends. Their students are winners. To keep the troops fed, we now have Tully’s coffee for coffee and crumpets and also Hill & Co has always generously supplied bottled water for our monthly work days. We welcome any other businesses that want to support our work.
Do you have any other park improvements or plantings planned for the future?
Kim: We want the entrances to Lafayette Park to sparkle. That's the theme for 2007. Now that one corner is done, everyone is excited and wants more. We also think there is a need for some community event in the park especially after the success of the NPC gala. We would love more gardening staff, to fix the lighting and fences, the irrigation and so much more. It's a big, beautiful park and it needs all the attention it can get.
