People need friends and so do gardens, and in the case of Park & Tilford Gardens, friends are needed more than ever.
Most public gardens, like VanDusen Botanical Garden, or research gardens, like the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden have friends, affectionately known as friends of the garden or in short form FOGs who help grow the garden's mission.
The Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden in Sechelt has, until recently, been exclusively run by volunteers or friends since its inception several years ago.
In some cases gardens that are non-profit or just starting up could not survive if not for the work, enthusiasm and vision of FOGs.
Although the relationship between garden management and FOGs can sometimes be political and problematic for many reasons, generally the unspoken deal between FOGs and their garden of choice is simple: FOGs volunteer their time, energy and enthusiasm to the garden and in return the garden educates the FOGs in all things horticultural while providing handson learning experiences. As the FOGs' confidence grows, so does the complexity and proficiency of the tasks they can provide and add to the garden's services to the public. It's a win-win situation when things go well.
One of the universal equation balancers of the FOG to garden relationship is the fact that FOGs are volunteers, so if they don't get sufficient reciprocation of their efforts and enthusiasm, FOGs leave to volunteer in some other organization and there are many community organizations to volunteer for these days so keeping FOGs happy and gainfully engaged is important.
FOGs range in age from 18 to 80 years old and their participation can add substantial value to any garden lucky enough to enjoy their participation. Notwithstanding union contract issues and other business arrangements, FOGs traditionally have been responsible for, or assist in, plant sales, plant labelling, growing plants for sale, seed collection, garden tours, website operation, promotion, public education, arranging lectures, fundraising and much more.
The FOGs at UBC run the successful Apple Festival each fall. The VanDusen FOGs, who are members of the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association, operate plant sales and other events throughout the year.
FOGs are never used to replace a garden's labour force because most FOGs usually have a full-time job and they only want to volunteer occasionally to learn something or they are retired and volunteer for non-monetary reasons.
Here on the Shore, the Friends of Park & Tilford Garden have worked tirelessly since the late 1990s to improve the North Vancouver garden and grow community support. Under my mentorship as a former director, the Park & Tilford Garden FOGs did most of the previously mentioned FOG activities and in addition built a 30-foot wide by 18-foot tall by 80-foot long plastic covered greenhouse, during their practicums.
The Park & Tilford FOG house is used to hold their annual plant sale, for volunteer practicums and other garden uses. Building the FOG greenhouse provided some of the best practicums I have ever delivered and participated in. The FOGs, students from Capilano University and garden staff worked hard, learned a lot and we enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to the garden's success. It was one of the highlights of my time at Park & Tilford.
There is no better feeling than the sense of accomplishment and contribution that a person receives when participating in such synergistic endeavors.
The Friends of Park & Tilford Gardens (parkandtilfordfogs.ca) are currently working on collecting and developing a comprehensive history of Park & Tilford Gardens and they would like the public's help in creating, or should I say re-creating the garden's history.
I spoke to Ann Pentland, one of the founding members of the Park & Tilford FOGs and the person in charge of creating the historical archive.
Pentland told me, "I am looking for any printed, written or photographed materials about Park & Tilford produced since the inception of the gardens in 1966 to the present day."
She also explained she has the means to copy any form of material including handwritten notes and letters, or printed books or newspaper articles, digital information, slides of the garden or photographs.
Pentland hopes the community will help fill in the details of the long and unusual history of Park & Tilford Gardens.
Any member of the public, on the North Shore or in the Metro Vancouver area, can contact Pentland to provide information to be copied and added to the archive.
Sometimes even friends need friends to help, so please look through your scrapbooks and attics to see if you can help keep the history of Park & Tilford Gardens alive.
To help, contact Ann Pentland, Friends of Park & Tilford Gardens by email, annpentland@shaw. ca or by phone at 604-985-8266.
Todd Major is a journeyman horticulturist, garden designer and builder, teacher and organic advocate. [email protected]
