The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan 

Peru – Up until five years ago, retired Peru teacher Don Evans had never been a gardener; now, he has a beautiful garden that most passers-by stop to examine. His garden doesn’t have corn, beans, and other vegetables; instead, it’s a fairy garden designed to make magic happen for children. It’s a miniature garden with structures, living plants, tiny houses, chairs, and other things designed to lure magical fairies. Known as an avid bike rider, hiker, and kayaker, building a fairy garden doesn’t precisely coincide with Don Evan’s other pursuits. He commented, “This slows me down. It allows me to be creative.” 

Up until this summer, only Don’s family and a few neighbors knew about the garden because it was in his backyard. When one of his daughters suggested he move it to the front yard, he was ready to make a move. Evans said, “I liked the garden back there, but I wanted more people to see it. I bit the bullet and went for it.” Assisted by his wife Shirley, the transfer and reconstruction  process took about two or three weeks, but all the hard work has been worth it. Shirley estimates that at least 100 people including many neighborhood children accompanied by their parents have stopped by over the past two weeks.

Don constructs the garden’s buildings in his basement workshop using his wood scraps and driftwood he finds during the couple’s walks along lakeshores, most frequently along Lake Champlain at Ausable Point. He used a plastic popcorn box to make the garden’s lighthouse. A building takes him two to three weeks to complete. He doesn’t take his ideas from any books or stories. Available materials typically determine what he is going to try next. Upgrading and changing the garden is an ongoing process. 

If you are traveling in the Quaker Springs subdivision, Don and Shirley invite you and your children to stop by and become enchanted as you browse and envision fairies visiting their 7 Oakdale Drive garden.