North Bay's secret garden

Neighbourhood children delight in the wonderment of Sweetman’s Secret Garden.

Friends and neighbours of Murray Sweetman rallied Saturday to showcase one of North Bay’s prize possessions known to many area children as the ‘secret garden’ just off Copeland Street in the city’s West End.

Neighbours organised the event as they have great concern that with the recent sell off of the former CN rail property that the city has plans to sell Sweetman's Garden as well.

Sweetman has been tending to the garden that sits at the corner of Cormack and McIntyre streets since the early 1960s.

Stuart Bailey, who helped orchestrate the event, says that with the garden being in place for well over three decades it is more then just a garden it is a part of our heritage that is rooted in so many lives.

Bailey notes that not only does he have personal ties to the spot, as he and his wife were married there, but it has also had international attention. The last Emperor of Ethiopia, Haillie Selassie, who ordered his train to stop so he could get out and tour the garden.

Bailey also says Sweetman’s age is cause for concern and is a contributing factor for the group’s decision to start lobbying city hall.

“Age is a concern, but he is accepting more help these days. We also have offers of help from other groups, so now is a good time to ensure the garden continues.”

Bailey says other property in the area has been sold for development and that it is unclear what the city’s intentions are for the area.

“The city is showing that it wants to work with us in a process to keep the garden going.”

To join the group or for more information on the garden can visit sweetmansgarden.com