picket reflections

still trying to catch up with the image backlog; this is from Saturday the 23^rd. 

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

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First Avenue at Locust Lane

the Grove's layout tends toward smaller lots and larger common spaces.  one consequence of this is fewer fenced yards, which creates a greater visual sense of openness. 

one of the first things I realised on first moving here was that the slab fence then surrounding the property didn't seem to fit well with its surroundings, so I experimented with ways to make it work: first by alternating its boards to opposite sides for a wyngate effect, then by removing alternate boards, and then by cutting it down from six feet to three or four.  though each of these seemed to help, none were satisfactory so in the end I removed it entirely. 

some in the Grove have animals, or small children, or just a preference for neatly delimiting their boundaries.  this fence surrounds the grounds of 1 the Circle.  during the process described above I traced the outline of one of its pickets onto a template that I used to shape the remaining boards of the last standing phase of the fence -- if it was going to remain I wanted it to fit in with one as attractive as this. 

tree tango

[OT from cottage renovations]
[crossposted to photogrove]

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

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Grove Avenue

still standing, for a while

[OT from cottage renovations]

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

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upper field

in this space a few days ago there was some mention of the pending development of the fields and woods to the SE of the Grove.  the horrific first phase has not yet come during which the land is cleared of vegetation to yield up its buildable lots, but the signs are already there: the muddy tire tracks of large vehicles, the false cheer of brightly coloured ribbons of surveyors' tape streaming gaily in the breeze and the slick white plastic PVC pipes poking up from the engineers' test bore holes. 

this tree, one of the most striking features of the meadow, has the misfortune to have grown in the part of the upper field that's outside the proposed legacy open space setaside.  so whether or not that comes to pass, this tree will not be around.  the site plans show a cul-de-sac on the spot, where the inevitable M^cMansions are sure to spring up like a ring of oversized poisonous toadstools. 

the negotiations with successive developers and with the regional planning authority were lengthy and difficult, and in the end the developers didn't give up even a single unit of density.  we have also had problems with our County government wanting to take the site for its own purposes and even in the Grove there has been contention over the issue. 

I really should try to make an effort to maintain a better perspective on this:  the chance to save a part of the tract is better than the loss of it all.  but it's hard to walk through there without feeling keenly the loss that is so soon to come.