Do you celebrate the green of our community, the Greater Richmond Area?

During the past few weeks, I've raked winter debris, attended as well as taught "green" educational events, separated and rearranged plants and planted new. Through participating in these activities, I've observed winter’s brown fade into shades of green; I'm not only ready, but enthused to celebrate the living green of our community as well.

I have a habit when evening light lingers and the air warms of investigating the signs of seasonal change. So, one evening I took an informal survey of the emerging spring green in my community.

As I rode my golf cart around the perimeter of our property, to my surprise I discovered less than one-third of the neighboring communities that maintain their outdoor space. Still, there are communities that celebrate green. For example, a few years ago, a family friend invited me to attend an awesome neighborhood celebration.

The West Avenue Improvement Association, located in Richmond's Fan area, hosts a half-day three-block party. It begins with a parade in which children march to live music while holding in their hands symbols illustrating the arrival of spring.

A variety of fun and games -- face painting, magic and whatever other activities the community can muster -- are available. Residents open the gates of their back-alley gardens. Visitors are encouraged to meander through the alleys, visit restored historic gardens, chat with homeowners, nibble on home-made cookies and drink lemonade.  

But there is still this question: Why do some communities commit to green and others remain indifferent? Perhaps, West Avenue's coat-of-arms explains the source of their spirit. The first quarter of their logo is a rose which stands for garden work done year-round and garden tours; the second quarter, a right hand representing friendly, hospitable and interesting people who are willing to reach out, pick up and comfort the children in their community; the third quarter represents St. James, which influences the residents through noon and evening chiming bells; and in the forth quarter, towers represent the enchanting historic homes of this area.

The community motto, "Not for herself but for her own," explains further this community's focus. On Sunday, April 27 the area is hosting its 68th annual garden celebration and tour. From noon to 5 p.m., you are invited to stop by -- join in a celebration of one community's green. For details of event activities, see Web site www.westave.org.

On a larger scale, from April 19-27, Virginia as a whole celebrates the season with its week-long historic garden tours. Visitors and residents are invited to step through the gates of more than 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks.

Sponsored by The Garden Club of Virginia, the week-long event is held from the Atlantic Ocean to the Allegheny Mountains and span the representative centuries of early 17th through early 21st. As a frequent participant, I've experienced parking and walking block tours, driving more than a 20-mile radius to participate in a rural tour, and traveling from the lower end of Richmond to Williamsburg to visit the plantations of Virginia. See www.GCVirginia.org or call (804) 644-7776 to identify an open-house tour near you.

Still, the question remains, Do you celebrate the greening of the Greater Richmond Area? And, more specifically, if not, why?

After discovering the neglected backyards that border my property, I can not help but question why this phenomenon exists. Properties, purchased at a premium price, sit idle. While you would think I'm describing a neighborhood in decline, I'm not. So, what can we, as a community, do to move from eco-weak to eco-chic, foster outdoor traditions such as those of West Avenue?

How do we inspire others to open their garden gate to friends and family, celebrate a season renewed -- the greening of our community? To share advice or the results of your choices related to this subject, contact me at syhwright@comcast.net or post comments below. Together, let's create a series of column topics that assist the greening of our community: move the Greater Richmond Area from eco-weak to eco-chic, creating a legacy of healthy green.