Urban Wildflower Meadow

This plot of land has a rich and vibrant history. It was once home to the great Westinghouse complex, a factory built while the American industrial revolution was in full force. Here, Seth Boyden invented his renowned patent leather and Thomas Edison started his brilliant career. In the 1890s, before Eastman-Kodak, Hannibal Goodwin perfected plastic camera film right here. However, the building’s glory faded over the 1950s, yielding to a different landscape and history.

The warehouse then stood as a solemn testimony to history before its final demolition in 2007. Every day, on my way to and from high school, I observe weeds strewn about the lot. Now, it is up to my generation to imbue these symbolic three acres with new life.  I dream of a meadow full of lovely flowers rather than scrawny weeds. Last spring, we sowed 25 pounds wildflower seeds along the sidewalks and were rewarded with many bright colors. However, I envision greater heights: the entire plot covered in blooms. This spring, I want meet the challenge head on, but I need your help to transform this dream into a reality.

Any contributions will be used to pay for: equipment rentals: a tiller ($96.00), a roller ($19.00), and a seeder ($34.98) all from Home Depot, and 100 lbs of Dry Area Wildflower Seed Mix from American Meadows ($1895.90 plus shipping). I would love to reach my goal in early spring, by April. If we are able to realize this dream it would incredible. It would prove that proactively, together, people can make a real change in their own environments and lives.