The York Quaker Meetinghouse was built in 1766, with a section added in 1783. It is located in the heart of the city on a busy street (Philadelphia Street). The lot is large for a city location—a little more than ¼ acre (about 80 ft x 150 ft). The land is bordered by an alley on the West side, two large windowless brick buildings built right at the property line on the East side, and a concrete parking lot along the back property line. A chain link fence goes around these three borders, but the grounds are completely accessible to the public from Philadelphia Street. Our entire back yard is a cemetery with over 200 graves. All but a few gravestones were lost and at some point. Those remaining were placed together in rows near the building. Most of the yard is in grass but there are some beautiful old trees: seven hemlocks, four dogwoods, two oaks, and two American holly.

        Over the years the backyard became a sleeping spot for homeless people and a place for drinking and drug use, owing to its easy accessibility, low visibility from the street, and our scant use of it. Cleaning up the litter and debris, including drug leftovers and human waste, was a constant chore.  In recent years, various individual members had tried to work on the “backyard problem” with little success. Our membership is about 40, with 15-20 regularly attending weekly meeting.  Many of us live out of the city. In the Spring of 2002, as unwanted activity increased with the warmer weather, some members wanted to take more definite action. There were several called meetings but no unity on what to do. In fact, feelings ran very high with many people offering ideas and opinions from all perspectives. Some of the proposed actions included the following:

• call police (treat the symptoms, but not the cause)
• put up no trespassing signs (deemed “un-Quakerly” by some)
• welcome homeless to camp and put up port-a-potties (perhaps “Quakerly,” but risking increased liability)

Some of us, new to York Meeting, had never even been in the backyard, so we decided to actually walk around and see for ourselves. Sure enough, there were all kinds of trash and debris, but we also saw a beautiful piece of land with an underlying feeling if serenity. As we walked around, we started to pull weeds and saw flowerbeds under the weeds.  We decided to meet one morning just to pull weeds and pick up trash. This became a weekly activity and we invited any other interested Friends to join us. We added trash cans and recycling bins with signs to “please use them.” We threw away all the litter we found. Others began to call us “The Gardening Committee.”

At this point, we really had nothing in mind beyond cleaning up trash and pulling weeds each week. As we worked, we discovered more and more plants that had been put in years before, but neglected over time. These began to thrive as we worked. We also started adding new plants as we cleared space.

When homeless people came while we were working, we talked to them and explained what we were doing. We sometimes employed those willing to help us if we had enough work that day (paying $8/hr from 2002-2004, a living wage minimum). Over the summer and fall, the “problems of the backyard" seemed less overwhelming and those of us who were gardening began to talk about future plans. Some members had recently joined a newly-formed "Native Plant" organization. After discussing various ideas, we decided to emphasize both plants native to Pennsylvania and plants historically found in Quaker gardens, with an eye toward blending these in our yard.

To this end we called the Penn State Master Gardeners office. Connie, who heads their Native Plant program, visited our yard in early 2003. She examined and identified every tree and shrub, and told us which were native (to keep and nurture) and which ones should go (including some we just planted the year before). In 2003, with more of a plan in mind, we began to act on her advice.

As we talked to people about our plans, some people donated plants which Connie had suggested we add to the yard. One of our members, who volunteers every year on the York City Garden Tour, became so enthusiastic that she got us on the Tour the following year (2004).  Tour2004_pg1  Tour2004_pg2

When people came on the garden tour, we gave out information about gardening with native plants and showed them what it looked like the first year (which is pretty unimpressive). Since many of our plants were very small, we made colorful signs explaining the value of each and what it would look like at maturity.

Without any deliberate intent the "backyard problem" was becoming the "Gardening Project". We still had to clean up trash, but the amount steadily decreased, as did evidence of unwanted activity.

We've made a map of the yard identifying each tree, shrub, and flower: East Side Map   West Side Map . We try to keep it updated. As we have proceeded, we’ve also kept the Meeting informed. We always invite others to join us in our activities. Last year we rented a large chipper. Two of our members with chainsaws removed a large privet, a large burning bush, several ailanthus trees, and trimmed some low-hanging hemlock branches.  We mulched the flowerbeds with the chips. Before removing any large trees or shrubs, we inform the Meeting to see if anyone has a reason not to proceed; we really wish to be receptive to everyone’s views. Of the original list Connie provided identifying non-native plants/shrubs/trees she recommended we remove, the only one remaining is a mature Norway Maple. Some members still object to taking out such a large tree. We have managed to trim off lower branches so far, and will continue to bring this up for consideration periodically.

The "Gardening Project" has never has a "grand plan" or any one person in charge. Those of us involved just discuss what to do next as we garden each week, and use suggestions if possible. For example, one of our group members donated a small red-bud tree, and someone else suggested making a labyrinth using the large lawn area.

We measured the lawn area and planted the red-bud tree at the center, hoping someday to make it the centerpiece of a labyrinth. We've been looking at various plans for making a labyrinth.

It's been interesting for us to see the focus of the meetinghouse yard change from a problem (still talked about but so far not "solved") to a project involving a lot of people. Some help weekly, some come occasionally, some encourage us by walking around and making nice comments.

The front of the building has remained a challenge. Since it is so visible and has sloping banks to the sidewalk, we have been reluctant to do anything there.

In March of 2006, we met with a landscaper who works with native plants. He gave us a proposal to do the front and sides completely in native plants, eliminating all the lawn. The cost was $6000, more than we could afford. From 2004-present the Meeting provided $250.00 per year toward the “Gardening Project.” This has been used to purchase plants and pay our homeless workers.

In 2006, we learned that York Foundation was awarding city beautification grants. We applied for, and were awarded, a $1000 grant. We have sent letters to nearby businesses and to our members, describing the project and requesting donations. Once completed, we hope to use our grounds to promote gardening and landscaping with native plants.  We will offer educational programs and have the plants clearly labeled.  We were on the 2007 Garden Tour  Tour2007_pg1  Tour2007_pg2. Our enthusiastic Garden Tour volunteer will probably get us on the Tour again this year.

So that is the story…so far!