SAN DIEGO — A beautiful garden in a surprising place is uniting a Hillcrest neighborhood. In this Zevely Zone, I met the special people behind the project who are creating a 'Hillcrest High'. We've all done it; driven by an eyesore and thought someone else will do something about it. Today we meet that someone else.
At the root of the problem, a small piece of land on the corner of Richmond and Washington was an eyesore.
"A lot of dead bushes. A lot of invasive weeds," said Zach Jackson. He moved into the Uptown District condos just four months ago, when his partner Andrew suggested they roll up their sleeves. "No offense but it wasn't the prettiest out here," said Zach to his neighbors.
"It was kind of an eyesore. We did what's called guerrilla gardening which is usually in an urban spot and you make it better without asking for permission right? Our motto is we are going to do it until someone tells us not to," said Zach.
Neighbors noticed the difference immediately.
"It was just a dusty mound of dirt and some overgrown weeds," said Jim Deichmeister.
"It's actually just a happy type of thing." CBS 8 viewers, Jim and Tim, a married couple, asked us to visit the garden. "I wanted to actually give recognition to Andrew and Zach for what they've done for us," said Tim Riedel.
"This is owned by the City of San Diego, this entire slope," said Greg Fenton who is a condo board member. "I think this is great. Our residents Zach and Andrew have done a fantastic job," said Greg.
"I work as a biologist in the area," said Zach while approached by another neighbor. Everybody's welcome at this garden party.
"Well it makes it more welcoming as I come in through the complex here," said Ron Lussier.
He wants to pitch in and plant something pretty.
"As I like to say many hands make light the work," said Ron. Some residents have lived here for years and never did a thing.
"I don't have the skill to do this," said Stan Piotroski who is an artist. He calls this project a community masterpiece.
"This is color and it will be color all year around," said Stan.
When Andrew and Zach go out of town, neighbors are already lining up to water.
"Totally worth it, if these guys took that upon themselves to do that that is truly the least we can do to help make this look the way it does and make sure that it grows and continues on," said Tim.
"It really is a gift to us, it's selfless on their part. They are doing this money out of their own pocket on their own time and they are doing it so happily for us."
Plants are growing and so are new friendships.
"It's just really been a really cool ice breaker to meet all of you guys," said Zach.
"It's been really rewarding. It's just been really nice to meet all of the new neighbors."
Zach has joined the condo association's landscaping committee with hopes of spreading even more joy to the neighborhood.