Every Wednesday morning, weather permitting, a group of locals gathers at the Garden on 4th in Estevan for a cup of coffee and a visit. The weekly event, called “Coffee in the Garden,” is open to anyone who wants to drop by and take a moment to relax and connect with others.
The group was started about six years ago by Gale Tytlandsvik. She is the president of the Estevan Garden Club, the founder of the Garden on 4th, and also runs a dance group. She said the idea came from wanting to see people use the space more often.
“I just put it on Facebook,” she said. “We don’t do enough socializing, and I wanted people to enjoy the garden.”
Some weeks are busier than others, with all the seats filled. Other times, a few people might stop in for a short visit or just wander through the space. But the group has grown over time, and regulars have gotten to know each other.
“If somebody doesn’t show up, we check on them,” said Tytlandsvik. “Some of us aren’t that young anymore.”
She said the garden has become more than just a place to gather. It is a way to encourage people to slow down.
“It’s a wonderful place to just stop and recharge,” she said. “We’re all so busy — run, run, run — and sometimes we just need to slow down.”
What started as a seasonal gathering has also become a year-round event. A few years ago, when the weather turned cold, regular attendees asked if the meet-ups could continue. Now they gather indoors at local cafés during the winter months and rotate between gardens in the summer, including the Tower Garden and the Flats.
“It didn’t stop when the weather got cold,” said Tytlandsvik. “People said, ‘Can we keep meeting?’ So now we just go for breakfast in the winter.”
In addition to hosting the weekly coffee meet-up, Tytlandsvik has led a number of improvements to the Garden on 4th. A large structure was added last year, built with help from her husband and son-in-law using sucker rod and primed aluminum panels. It will serve as a display for sponsorship plaques.
Each planter in the garden has a plaque to recognize its sponsor. Donations from sponsors help cover costs such as plants, fertilizer, gloves and hoses. Over the years, the garden has grown so well that some plaques are no longer visible. This is one reason for the new structure.
“The sponsors really keep us going,” she said. “Their support helps pay for everything from fertilizer to gloves.”
The garden project itself began about 10 years ago with a small group of committed individuals.
“Three of us said, ‘Let’s see what we can do,’” she said. “I designed it, they found the funding, and we got permission. That’s how it started.”
Now, the garden sees regular use and community appreciation. Tytlandsvik said it is about doing something instead of waiting for someone else to step in.
“This is what happens when one person stops sitting on social media complaining and actually does something,” she said. “People are happy here. When I see someone just sitting, relaxing, or chatting with someone new — that is the reward.”
While there is some litter to clean up during the summer months and the occasional plant is broken or stolen, she said vandalism is rare. In her experience, even people without a garden or a home show care for the space.
“People ask about vandalism, but honestly, the ones who don’t have a garden of their own — they are often the ones who look after this place,” she said.
Tytlandsvik said she hopes the garden continues to offer a moment of calm for anyone who needs it.
“It is a place people can come to relax and feel welcome,” she said. “We are all busy, and sometimes we need a reason to stop and just enjoy something simple.”
The community is invited to join Coffee in the Garden every Wednesday at 9 a.m. to connect, relax, and enjoy the space together.