Winning gardens offer beauty, serenity in a concrete jungle

Surrounded by tall concrete buildings, traffic, and noise, a small oasis exists on the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth streets.

Early this month, two gardens belonging to the Old South Church won first place in the Mayor's Garden Contest. This is the first time the gardens captured first prize, although they have been finalists in the past.

The care of the gardens is in the hands of Diane Gaucher and Jim Hood, who are members of Old South. Gaucher had been taking care of the gardens for the past four years, while Hood recently expressed his interest in caring for the flowers. "In order to enter the contest, the gardening must be done by non-professionals," Hood said.

Gaucher and Hood completed an application and sent in pictures of the gardens. Once the finalists were chosen, the gardens were judged in person and from there chosen for the first prize. The award ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday at the Boston Public Garden.

Hood and Gaucher said the best part of the contest is the feedback they have been getting from people passing the gardens on the street. Hood recalled one woman telling him she looks forward to walking by the gardens to and from work every day.

"We're right in the hub of the city," said Gaucher. "Many visitors that come to the city pass the church. It is important for us to represent the city well. The garden has really humanized the space. We've seen a lot of conversation around the gardens."

MARY ANN GEORGANTOPOULOS