The Secret Garden

I stumbled upon the Secret Garden during a MAPP event (Mission Arts & Performance Project); an event that occurs every other first Saturday of the month. I was walking to another venue when a small sign for the garden drew me in, down a path at the side of a house – I really was not expecting much. Once in the garden, my eyes opened wide and heart filled with warmth from the lulling voices of Los Pajaros (Stina da Silva, Cristina Ibarra, y amig@s). The space was very large (for SF standards) and had a small stage with a canopy of trees. There were a few rows of bench seats and picnic tables around the perimeter.
The Secret Garden has this classic San Francisco vibe. A small stage, intimate environment, a diverse audience (at least that describes MAPP events); I had to fight off hearing Scott McKenzie singing in my head. If you want to listen to music and get snuggly with your date without being in a loud club environment, a music event here is tough to beat.

So I live at 23^rd and Harrison and there happens to be a garden between 23^rd and 24^th, closer to 23^rd. There is a little sign that says «Secret Garden», in a little alley enclosed by a white fence between two homes. I’ve passed this sign millions of times but every time the fence has been closed! Finally, this past Saturday the gate was ajar! We diverted and went inside the garden!
Suspense!
Someone’s back was turned towards the vegetables, there was human in the «Secret Garden». I said «Hello». I was greeted warmly by an older gentlemen. He says his name is «Tree». How fitting :). Anyways, Tree tells us the history of the 23^rd and Harrison garden. It was supposed to be a common space for all the houses in the area, then it became a crack den and the parks people sealed it off. Supposedly everyone in the neighborhood had keys before it was closed. Now only Tree and someone else that runs a gardening program for kids has a key. He uses the park for his urban farming project.
Tree used to hope he could feed all the homeless with his urban farms, he has a few. There is one at 23^rd and Treat st., I don’t know where his others are. With the produce he gardens he gives it all away at his food stand in the mission for low income and homeless folks. How cool is that?
Amazing to have people like Tree in SF. I’ve heard he also had something to do with the trees that line Folsom, I’m not sure about that rumor.
Here is a link to his blog: