A Special ?Aloha NYPD Community Garden? to One & All
Lush retreat: Community gardener Jean-Henock Desrosiers relaxes in the eye-pleasing urban oasis he created outside the 63rd Precinct.
Emerald empire?
Bergen Beach resident Jean-Henock Desrosiers? reputation as the community?s glowing green thumb is in full bloom ? as is the lush garden he planted in front of the 63rd Precinct.
The volunteer?s labor of love ? a majestic eye-pleaser entitled, ?Aloha NYPD Community Garden? ? is reaping admiring stares and appreciative comments from passersby and police officers, alike, who took up Desrosiers on his offer to rejuvenate the fading patch of green outside their stationhouse, 1844 Brooklyn Avenue.
Using his own funds, the currently unemployed man says he toiled for seven months ? sometimes, putting in 12 and 13 hours a day ? to plant approximately a dozen flowers, trees and shrubs to beautify his neighborhood precinct as ?a reward? to law enforcers ?for their help, service and protection.?
AOT 2007
?It is a piece of art to unite the community and officers so that we can have a better relationship,? says the affable, bearded Haitian émigré of his verdant masterpiece, which pays tribute to Mother Nature with approximately a dozen blueberry, lemon and blackberry trees, plus roses, a burning bush and vibrant thread-leaf and kalanchoe shrubs.
?It?s time for cops to have a garden so that their eyes can gaze upon something beautiful so that their spirit will be uplifted,? continues Desbrosiers, who also fashioned an intricate pebble walkway on the approximately 40-foot patch to light the area for night visitors, configuring a large ?V? for victory in the middle to symbolize the garden?s return.
Gracing the regal structure is a platform of figurine children to illuminate, says the man, the need to unite the world ? one garden at a time.
?The children represent a world nation in which we can work, drink, eat and have peace together,? notes Desbrosiers, who says he cemented neighborhood friendships quickly after relocating to Brooklyn in 1987, by helping his neighbors spruce up their backyards.
The outpouring of positive reaction from cops and the community for his green jewel ? which he plans to maintain himself ? is reward enough, says the man, adding, the ?type of appreciation and kindness? he has been shown after unveiling his green jewel is ?something that I have never experienced before.?