I’m actually getting used to it: the new garden on Third Street. Not to say it doesn’t take me by surprise when I walk past. I was so used to its former concrete modesty. It may not have been the scuzziest yard on Third Street, but it was, for a long time, crying out for improvement. It’s a major adjustment to see it all spiffed up.
Every day I notice something different. How pink the Flagstone tiles are. The lovely droopiness of the skinny new trees. The gray tile used for the walkway to the stoop. The color of the benches.
Nice attention to detail. It looks like someone really put a lot of thought into the overall design and landscaping. Probably Root Stock or one of the other Park Slope landscapers. Or maybe it was decided by committee: the New Garden on Third Street Committe. Whoever did it, they knew what they were doing.
There’s been quite a bit of buzzing about the new garden. One neighbor calls it "Park Avenue." She asked one of the owners: "What were you thinking? Pink tiles?" I think it was sour grapes. Or joking. Or just stoop envy. And she has one of the best yards on Third Street: the source of much garden envy for years and years by many.
But it’s time to hand over the crown. The prize for most enviable yard on Third Street goes to: the little coop that could. They surprised us all by transforming their concrete jungle into something very posh.
And they’re loving every minute of it.
As a civil engineer, I think I would like to say a word on behalf of concrete (not cement!) courtyards. How are we supposed to say we are living an urban life when we are surrounded by this greenery? If you want trees, move upstate. Why do we need these fripperies of pink flagstones for goodness’ sake? My courtyard is the way God intended it – gray, concrete and bereft of plant life.