SIDE STREETS: Wheelbarrows to the rescue as landscapers create

A small army of wheelbarrow-pushing landscapers will celebrate Earth Day on Friday by creating a special place for sick children and their parents at the Memorial Hospital for Children.

In other words, all materials will be hauled the length of a football field before the real work can start.In other words, all materials will be hauled the length of a football field before the real work can start."The space is fairly small and it's really hard, logistically, to get materials in and out," Rick said.If, that is, their wheelbarrows hold out.So, why wheelbarrows? Why not truck materials in? Use a forklift? Or a crane?Rick said his volunteer crews to spend Thursday hauling the donated materials down to the site.To pull it off, the landscapers will need to haul and assemble 50 tons of dirt, nearly 5 tons of sand, 24 tons of sand/gravel mix, 2.5 tons of drainage rock, plus uncounted tons of flagstone, boulders, pavers, trees, shrubs and more.She said the metal was all recovered and there was no loss to the owner.All by wheelbarrow.Tragedy once again struck the family in March last year when the former amateur heavyweight boxer's son and Viv Graham Jnr's brother, Dean, was found dead at the wheel of his car."He hasn't been in trouble since 2006. He apologises.(See photos on my blog.)Wonder if Memorial has a wing to treat exhausted landscapers?Viv Graham Jnr was caught red-handed by police pushing a wheelbarrow laden with metal and lead flashing down a street.The garden will represent hope, life and healing and offer sick children and their families a place of tranquility and inspiration.The gardens will be at the base of the new hospital tower at the bottom of a long circular ramp and the base of a retaining wall along Boulder Street.Wonder if Memorial has a wing to treat exhausted landscapers?Memorial's Greg Gauna, director of planning, design and construction, said the garden has been planned since the $110 million, seven-story east tower opened in 2007."He thought he could get something for it and he was tidying up the neighbourhood which was a mess," he said."The budget for the garden was about $100,000 and we were looking for funding," Gauna said. "We heard they were looking for a day of service project. It's pretty incredible. Talk about a gift falling into your lap. We're very excited."Please "Friend" me on Facebook and follow me on TwitterMURDERED Viv Graham senior was shot in 1993

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Author: BILL VOGRIN