Staten Island’s Hidden Garden: A Senior’s Labor of Love Brightens Canterbury House
The grounds around Canterbury House in Rosebank are noticeably greener thanks to Bill O’Connor, a resident who has dedicated a year to weeding, mulching, and planting.
A Lifelong Gardening Passion
O’Connor’s love for gardening began in his childhood in the South Bronx, where he cared for the only green plant in a junkyard—a sumac weed. For him, gardening has become a therapeutic activity that helps manage the health challenges of aging.
Garden Beginnings After Hurricane Sandy
In 2012, after moving into Canterbury House, an income-restricted senior housing operated by St. John’s Episcopal Church, O’Connor asked the priest for permission to start a garden.
“I really lucked out with the garden because I missed my garden, so I asked the priest of St. John’s Episcopal Church at the time if I could start one,” the 84-year-old said. “He said, ‘Bill, you can do it, but you’ve got to make it look nice because this is the first thing you see when you come up to the building.’”
Garden Transformation
By 2014, O’Connor had transformed a barren area of rocks into the vibrant garden it is today, working mostly alone.
Personal Investment and Support
- The garden is a personal project funded entirely by O’Connor himself.
- He also receives occasional gift cards from his family for special occasions.
- Supplies like dirt and fertilizer are purchased from stores such as Home Depot.
Author’s summary: Bill O’Connor’s dedication to gardening has turned Canterbury House’s outdoor space into a peaceful and vibrant gathering place, reflecting a lifelong passion and personal commitment.