My involvement with the Original Garden began one freezing winter morning in 2009, at a meeting to discuss the deer fence. Posts and gates had already gone up, to some dismay and shock. We met in the garden; Dorothy, George Ripley, Angus, Lini, Park gardeners, and I. The community’s size and diversity made it difficult to maintain the sacred space of this garden. If we had to have a fence, I knew it had to be beautiful. Beauty nourishes the soul, and as an artist, it deeply matters to me. Spirit insisted that I volunteer.

I found myself beginning this project of co-creation, thinking not of a barrier to keep things out but a container to hold a sacred space. The theme is the four elements. As I worked to integrate the beautiful natural curves of the cypress wood fence and gates, the forms and spirits of the garden invited the design. I focused on creating a welcoming sanctuary with spacious flowing paths that would invite visitors to really look at the flowers and vegetables and enjoy the beauty of the garden.

Co-creation for me is offering my love and respect to the plants, animals, earth, minerals, and unseen beings, appreciating the intelligence in all things. It is about working gently enough to follow guidance. It’s about giving thanks to the garden for the beauty, the magic and the gifts it offers. You don’t have to see nature beings to feel their presence and to offer the garden your love.

The Original Garden is, for me, central to our community. During recent clearing beside the Original Caravan, it felt like we were, or the work itself was, letting in new energy for the next 50 years.

Lesley Downie interviewed by Harula Ladd