Palo Alto Community Garden

I accidentally stumbled onto this 60,000 sq. ft. patch of serenity today, and my discovery made me feel a little bit like the heroine of the children’s story The Secret Garden. There was virtually no one else in the garden, and I was able to wander around uninhibited, checking out all of the garden’s nooks and crannies. The garden is beautiful, and is wonderfully maintained by the city’s residents — it seems that all they ask of visitors is that they 1) not allow dogs into the beds and 2) not pick the fruit, flowers, and vegetables. I think that’s entirely within reason, and I am so grateful that they allow people to wander freely through the beds, whether or not they participate in the project. It’s so peaceful here! I plan to come back soon and have a picnic lunch, and then just sit on the edge of the garden and read in the sunshine. This place is magical.