The Garden of 4th Street is back in action with flowers, art, and more occupying a space on 4th Street today. Gale Tytlandsvik, president of the Estevan Arts Council, talks about the project that's helped beautify Estevan's main street for over a decade.
"The Garden on Fourth, it's in its 15th year, and that was an original project from the Art and Life Committee. I worked on that with Lynn Shipley and Leslie Padwick, and it's just continued to evolve and get more beautiful every year."
All the plants have been recently set in place for the summer, though so far, Tytlandsvik says it's been a bit cool for the plants.
"Plants are in, but the weather that we've had is kind of coolish. They haven't grown a whole lot, but they're coming along, and there's the herb garden. There are herbs ready for picking if anyone would like to take enough herbs for a meal, so that's ready. And we also plant all in front of the Salvation Army, so all of those plants are coming along as well."
This year, the Garden has an installation that Tytlandsvik hopes will show off some of the community art here in Estevan.
"Some people have noticed we have a sucker rod arch installation in front of the doors at SaskTel ... Last year we installed this art installation that we're going to hang local art on this year. We have panels being primed, and I will install the first batch, and then we will be asking for community art to rotate the art in and out of the Garden on that big wall that's right when you enter the Garden."
Anyone looking for tips for their own garden can stop by during a meeting of the Estevan area Gardening Club on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
"We've been doing that for years. Some of the ladies are just so talented and know so much about gardening, so if anyone wants to stop by, then I'm sure they would answer some questions," said Tytlandsvik. "As long as the weather is good, we're in there on Wednesday mornings."
As the summer progresses, Tytlandsvik encourages anyone looking to support the Garden on 4th to reach out to her.
"My name is on the plaque at the front, but they can contact me. I'm the contact person. So they can contact me, and we have planter sponsorships, but we're also, I would love to install an arbor in there for a little shade, and I'm looking at a picnic table to go at the front. We have never had one of those, and I think it's about time. And some hard rubber paving, so there are lots of things that we're looking at to improve the Garden."
Tytlandsvik encourages people to make use of the Garden over the summer, as a space to unwind, relax, and recharge.