CAPITOL HEIGHTS ROSEWALKS

The Capitol Heights Rosewalks is an ecological environmental beautification endeavour for the small Town of Capitol Heights.

A wonderful town nestled in emerald green hills and slopes, directly 10 miles east of the Washington Monument. No doubt it got its moniker from actually being the Heights of Capitol.

The Capitol Heights Rosewalks design consists of planting 9008 Knockout Roses, 2008 Fruit bearing trees -- bartlet pear apple, blueberry -- along with edible perennials: chicory, red clover, rhubarb, scarlet runner, seascape strawberry, sea kale, and white clover... to informally enhance both manicured and natural space. Ideally, from a bird's-eye-view a 3/4 of a mile field of roses and a street-level-point-of-view curb appeal. A win-win wildlife and humans.

The plants will be placed with homeowners, public areas and wild habitat reserves.


On May 3, 2022, The Capitol Heights Rosewalks was launched. 

The first area chosen was a 1/4 of a mile strip on Capitol Height Blvd. known as the Rose Promenade.

Knock out roses, seascape strawberry, elliot blueberry, tomato plants were planted along this walkable route starting at the welcoming sign at Capitol Heights Metro Station, across the wall on Davey Street, at the intersection of Dole St and Chamber St, on Bayou Avenue, and ending with plants at Capitol Height Town Hall.


In total 51 plants were planted.

A part of this endeavour is "Pay It Forward" and "No Homeowner left behind"  Plants were given away to the receivers were asked to "pay it forward" to a neighbor, buy a plant for neighbor. And "no homeowner left behind' is that any homeowner who requests a plant, if they are available, will receive one with no questions asked and even help will be given to plant regardless of their finances, fitness or location in Capitol Heights.


I am Kirstan Kirstan (Kirstanuci) the creator of The Capitol Heights Rosewalks. I had been riding my bike through the Town for 2 years, planting roses and fruit trees in my head.  In her last 3 weeks of being a town council member. Council member Williams, was doing her rounds of neighboring in her car at The High Tunnel while I was working on the prototype of this design. I told her of my vision. A few days later, the endeavour moved from dream to reality. 

So far, I funded this completely on my own with my mother Lilly, however, I am searching for grants, plant donations.  Recently, a old-time friend from IBM donated some 10 rose plants as He scouting a grant there.

you can contact me:

Kirstan Kirstan (Kirstanuci)

capitolheightsrosewalks@gmail.com

thanks, have a great day!

BTW if the 1500 homeowners get on board, next year 2023, they will have edible perennials from May to November. 7 months of natural salad at $10 a day for one meal is a grand total of $2,100.00.

 Also, the impact on the environment by eliminated packaging, carbon footprint, 72,000 strawberry boxes...the fuel and the cost of water...it is immense. It is my vision that each small town start this.

A Family from Crawford, New Jersey was staying next door and they saw me planting. They got excited. I gifted them 2 knock roses, a strawberry plant, and some seeds for their town. Before they left, they bought and left a knock out rose for their friend's house.


 I will be adding pictures soon.

check out youtube:

https://youtu.be/Nb6HqijviJ0


Cheers!


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