September 1, 2009

Calling all gardeners

Posted by Kathleen Turaski

Guerrilla gardening happens when someone seizes an opportunity to cultivate an otherwise unused or neglected public space.

I recently stumbled across this example in downtown Kirkwood. I enjoy that someone noticed this abandoned phone box and found a way to use it to add beauty rather than letting it remain an eyesore or be torn down for the landfill.

This “urban flower box” is also a reminder that we can find inspiration in unusual places. Most people would only see a broken phone booth on a busy street. But someone saw potential … and took the time to make a vision come alive (literally).

This work also makes me consider what else might be ripe for renewal.

The phone box had a purpose, but it became obsolete in the age of ubiquitous cell phones. Likewise, other communication techniques that have worked just fine in the past need to be reevaluated in the present media context.

The gardener who grew these flowers has also planted a fresh perspective in me.

In-the-box gardening (out-of-the-box thinking)