08/01/2025
NEW to the Orchard, each picnic table now features a hand-painted mural and a guided invitation to connect more deeply with the land. The murals—co-created by our orchard alumni, Eva Davies, Georgia Redmond, and Kaija Laird, with support from our stewards, Brenda Zimmerman and Regula Appenzeller—embrace a rough-cut, organic style that echoes the earthy texture of the cob shed. Their colour palette is drawn from the orchard itself: soft purples of lavender and catmint, creamy yellow from spring daffodils and the cob shed, vibrant reds and fresh greens from budding apples and pears, and grounding sky blues. Checkerboard benches nod to picnic blankets, while orchard allies like the butterfly, honeybee, and ladybug highlight the ecosystem’s natural harmony.
Each table includes a QR code linking to one of three audio meditations—The Art of Noticing, Imagine & Savour, and A Wandering Walk—narrated by Christianne Zurowski. These seasonal sound journeys invite guests to slow down, tune in, and return often—QR codes will be updated throughout the year to reflect the changing rhythms of the orchard.
Next up, our team will be refreshing the cob shed by adding an echo of the colours found on our picnic benches. The lead on this phase will be Linda Stanley Wilson. Community members are invited to participate. Contact [email protected] for more information.
The OPCO team thanks the City of Surrey for awarding the Community Enhancement Partnership Program grant in support of this project.
Photo credits: Sasha Davies
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