New ‘do-gooders’ organization plants seeds in the community

A new organization to spread “goodness and beauty and absurdity” in Birmingham hosted its inaugural civic project on June 9: planting a set of four “Pick What You Like” wildflower gardens.

The Department of Good Works is the creation of Max Rykov, who works for the City of Birmingham and organizes a variety of one-of-a-kind events around the city, and Redemptive Cycles Executive Director Kathryn Doornbos. Rykov said the organization is intended to promote community projects that are chosen and funded by the group.

Members of the Department of Good Works pay quarterly dues of $10 and can submit their project ideas. The group, which Rykov said has about 40 members so far, votes on a new project to take on each quarter with the dues.

“You can have a brigade of do-gooders doing your bidding, essentially,” Rykov said.

Ideas for their first project included public art and barter markets, but Rykov said the idea of community flower gardens rose to the top because they are relatively simple but can bring a lot of impact to empty lots around the city.

“We just want to spread a little bit of beauty for that particular project with unused spaces,” Rykov said. “You don’t often see flower gardens in urban spaces.”

It was a small group that showed up for the planting day, so the Department of Good Works decided to plant flowers at two 500-square-foot spots they had picked, instead of four: 1308 20th St. N. in Druid Hills and a lot behind the former Walli’s Market in Southside, at 1531 13th Place S.

Rykov said the lots could be bought and used for other purposes. But the short-term nature of the flower gardens doesn’t bother him, as long as they are enjoyed while they bloom.

“There is potential in these spaces. We want to inspire people to do the same and to think differently about these unused spaces,” he said.

Now that the seeds are planted, Rykov said the organization will tend them but is hoping good weather will do most of the work. The Department of Good Works will pick a new idea from its members for the next quarter’s project.

Learn more at facebook.com/deptgoodworks.