Garden of dreams

Retiree turns ordinary yard into extraordinary green space

By PaTricia A. TayLOr

In what may well be called a magnificent obsession, Brian Sakowski has created a stunning public garden on Arena Drive in Hamilton.

The garden is a public one because there’s no need to make an appointment or to buy a ticket to see this colorful creation, which fills the entire front of the property — even both borders of the sidewalk. Just drive or walk by and should you see Sakowski weeding or watering, stop and have a chat or two with him. Visitors are free, Sakowski says, to walk around the paths he designed to have a closer look at the various plantings.

Until 5 years ago, this garden was a typical green lawn, backed by a few shrubs next to Sakowski’s house. The rear of his property was another matter. There, Sakowski had been slowly transforming a bland back yard into a vibrant display.

See GARDEN, Page 6