That gang in pink one sees at the Trackside Garden each Tuesday morning, all volunteers who tend the garden, were disheartened last week when they discovered incidents of vandalism at the garden.
About eight volunteers, usually dressed in special pink Trackside Garden T-shirts, meet each Tuesday at 8 a.m. to weed the garden, deadhead blossoms, water the plants and hoe the soil. But, because of the dry conditions, members of the group had been going to the garden daily to water the plants.
Last week a garden hose and a sprinkler were taken, lilies were removed and a rose bush had been “stomped,” members of the group said during their regular work bee on July 14. And then late last week, a Jesus figurine that had been donated to the garden by a church group, was removed.
“We want the public to be aware of this vandalism so that people can keep a watch on the garden,” a member of the group said.
The RCMP has been contacted and asked to watch the area as well.
Members of the group said that because of the dry conditions this summer the garden is not as good as it would otherwise have been, but the perennials are okay.
The group held its its annual strawberry social on Wednesday (July 22) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., which is the only fundraiser for the garden. In addition to serving ice bream, strawberries, cake and beverages, the event included prizes, a raffle and live entertainment by the Polka Pals.
The strawberry social is an event for the whole family, members of the group said.
