Remembering Kim, Beautifying the Neighborhood

Photo by María Helena Carey

Sometimes, life hands us nothing but sadness, sorrow, and unspeakable horror.  We wonder why little children starve to death in utter squalor; why there must be wars that seem to lose their meaning the longer they drag on; or why a vibrant and beloved member of the community and mother of two had to die suddenly and at a young age?  If only we could all take our grief and make something beautiful and lasting, as Kim Brenegar’s family and friends have done, maybe the world would be a better place.

Kim was a Capitol Hill resident, business owner, and avid gardener, who died in a car crash in 2009 at age 49.  Kim’s nearest and dearest formed a volunteer society in 2010 called The Friends of Kim Brenegar.  They, in turn, have allied themselves with a 503(c)(3) non-profit called Care Company, and they are working together with the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation to turn the little park bordered by 8th Street SE, Independence Avenue SE, and North Carolina Avenue SE into a beautiful urban oasis.  The plans for Kim’s Garden are ambitious, but beautiful: the design will work with the existing flora as well as introduce hardy perennials — mostly native species — to the site; it will also echo the colors of a fun mosaic that artist Deirdre Saunder — who also designed the Hopscotch Bridge — created especially for the garden.

While the garden is starting to take shape, there is still much to do and The Friends of Kim Brenegar need your help.  If you would like to donate time, money, or specific resources for the mosaic or other fixtures in the garden, visit http://kimsgardendc.blogspot.com/ or email them directly at FriendsofKimBrenegar [at] gmail [dot] com.