THE SECRET GARDEN

Amid the construction chaos of midtown blooms a lush oasis of flowers, fountains and quirky artwork. Bry Gorrell tells Bob Reid what drove him to create it

My goal was to instigate in others an appreciation for art, for garden artistry, for fantasy, for romanticism. Every garden should have an element of romanticism — I mean, I got married in this garden.

BRY GORRELL

With each step further into the garden, little by little, the surrounding chaos diminishes.

The swirling dust and heavy equipment of the condo construction site next door give way to the dazzling colours of lush floral arrangements and cascading fountains. The roar of jackhammers morphs into the sounds of falling water and wind chimes.

On construction-packed Broadway Avenue in midtown, just two blocks from the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project, sits a three-storey Toronto Community Housing building. Previously confronted with a nondescript bare lawn, residents and visitors alike now enter into a placid, artistic garden.

Brian “Bry” Gorrell, the gardener, started working on his creation shortly after moving into the building eight years ago. The 51-year-old Thunder Bay native spent several decades in Australia, where he owned a flower shop in Sydney. “When I moved here,” Gorrell says, “there was no garden, no fence.

There was just grass. I knew I could make a change, make a difference and create a garden.”

Starting with a single dahlia bulb, Gorrell has invested years of effort to transform the 2,400-square-foot space into an oasis of flower beds, a koi fish pond and whimsical objets d’art.

One of his favourite items is a fountain featuring an Italian marble base, a gift from a couple who love the garden. He added a sparkling top piece from which the water burbles down — made from $20 worth of dollar-store plastic.

“My objective is to juxtapose things that you wouldn’t normally find together,” Gorrell says. “And together those two things look absolutely beautiful.”

At night, the garden glows amid thousands of mini lights and six tree-hung chandeliers, reflecting in 18 mirrors around the property.

“My goal was to instigate in others an appreciation for art, for garden artistry, for fantasy, for romanticism,” he says. “Every garden should have an element of romanticism — I mean, I got married in this garden.”

On a recent Saturday afternoon, new area residents Gabriel Camus and Marisa Bachetti brought some visiting friends to see what they call “the secret garden.”

“Everything’s under construction,” Camus says, “and sometimes a neighbourhood can feel a bit cold and impersonal. This little garden has a personality.”

A passion, a compulsion, a labour of love — Gorrell uses all these terms to describe his creation and his dedication to it. Between working with clients as a garden designer, the bulk of his time, energy and funds are spent here. While reluctant to solicit donations, Gorrell is humbled by the support he has received from admirers in the form of cash, supplies and gifts.

“I look at it this way,” he says. “I spend my money on the thing that brings me the most joy in life, which is bringing joy to others.”

He recently transitioned the garden from seasonal summer blooms, herbs and vegetables to the golds and reds of fall. A murder of black crow figurines perch in the tree branches. In winter, the space will be adorned with decorated trees, elves and Nutcracker dolls. Come spring, the tulips will return.

Over the years, the garden has been the setting for a wedding, birthday parties, baby yoga sessions and summer barbecues for building residents and area friends. Two autistic boys from the neighbourhood visit often to check up on the tiny plastic dinosaurs Gorrell added to the garden.

Although it’s technically private property, Gorrell stresses that anyone is welcome. “When you need my garden, you come to the garden,” he says. “You lay in the hammock, you sit in a chair, you lay on the lawn, you do whatever you need to do to bring yourself back to a place where you’re OK.”