June workday and progress in the Panhandle's central area

Thanks to 12 volunteers for being part of our workday. Here's the crew remaining at the end of the morning.

Volunteers planted a whole lot of new plants near the playground yesterday during our Saturday workday in the Panhandle: marigolds and cosmos around the south side of the gardener's shack and a dozen larger perennials for the plot on the east side of the shed.

Spreading the mulch around outside the playground

And there's more! A load of compost fines and a heap of mulch was ready for Stage 1 of a big new project: prepping the sandy & weedy area outside the playground gates for planting. This spot has a big eucalyptus and two other trees, and the leaf litter and shade make for a less than ideal growing environment. After a few months of allowing the compost fines and mulch to settle in (pardon my lack of biotechnical knowledge), we'll bring some hardy plants that are appropriate for this spot - for example, short stature (to not block views in and out of playground). 

I was amazed that our dozen volunteers succeeded in the laborious work of moving and spreading the compost and mulch around the entire area. Another volunteer was also busy trimming elm suckers and a hedge on the side of the playground that is forever growing too high. We even had time at the end for a concentrated effort to remove weeds that continue to pop up in the new rain garden. The morning's work was running, so Guillermo was able to take time to get out the leaf-blower and clean the asphalt area for a Silent Frisco dance party that was about to start up.  

Thanks to the Golden Gate Park Nursery for providing our new plants, to our regular and first-time volunteers, and to our gardener Guillermo. 

Conium, ranunculus repens, Senecio Elegans, begone!

Next Panhandle Workday is Saturday June 8

Memorial Day weekend: two months after planting (and post-Bay to Breakers)

Our second Saturday workday in the Panhandle Park is coming up quickly, so make sure you've got it on your calendars: 

Panhandle Park community workday

Saturday, June 8

9 am - 11:30 am 

Meet at the Bulletin Board (near Oak @ Ashbury)

While we are focusing efforts on caring for the new rain garden, it's also important to carry on other ongoing projects, such as care for the trees (spreading soil and mulch) and keeping the meadows green (raking up eucalyptus leaves and bark). We also have plans for further plantings around the perimeter of the playground. All of these projects take lots of helping hands. Please join us so we can continue the process of improving the Panhandle Park. 

New flyers about Panhandle Park Stewards and our rain garden are up at the bulletin board 

After Bay to Breakers 2013

The Bay to Breakers crowds are mostly gone, and there's still another hour or so of daylight, so head out for a walk in the park! Here are a few scenes from late afternoon.

Waste Busters and SF Conservation Corps nearly done with their big job

Temporary fencing helped protect some of the planting that is still getting established 

Volleyball near Cole 

Meadows still a little busy

May workday wrap-up

This morning's Panhandle community workday was a great time to catch up with friends and share news from the community while getting a workout in the spring sunshine. Our crew was made up of our regular volunteers as well as a several people joining us for the first time. Thanks to everyone's hard work, we were able to rake, weed, and fertilize our entire new planted landscape of California native plants. We also spread out to rake leaves from the playground and from the nearby lawns. Thanks to our Rec and Park garderner, Guillermo, for organizing the day and for bringing us pizza for breaktime.

Volunteers of all ages gathering in the sun after break 

Checking out the day's work

Thanks everyone for joining us today!