Neighbours create rock garden in Royalwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/09/2020 (1873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As summer draws to a close, Royalwood is still rockin’ thanks to the efforts of two young neighbours.

Jenna Moore, 11 and Sean Bector, who is about to turn 12, recently created The Little Rock Garden, joining a number of Winnipeggers who have found a passion for painting and sharing rocks.

“It started a year and half ago when we found a painted rock and thought it was really cool,” Jenna and Sean said.

“We wondered where it came from and what it meant. Then we saw the Winnipeg Rocks page on Facebook, and how people take and leave rocks everywhere and post pictures.”

Sean and Jenna are always on the lookout for new rocks, no matter where they travel. Sean found one in Grand Forks, while Jenna discovered one in Newfoundland last year on a family trip.

“It’s like a little game to play,” Sean noted.

Earlier this month, the duo decided to create their own rock garden after spotting one in Island Lakes while on a walk with neighbourhood families.

They spray-painted an old tire and added wood to the bottom and filled it with earth. Next came the rocks. From insects and snacks, to scenic landscapes and inspiring words, The Little Rock Garden was soon full.

“We see people all the time stopping to look, or to take or leave a rock,” Jenna said. “We thought it would be pretty fun for everyone to see and make them happy.”

Jenna prefers to paint detailed scenes and transform her rocks into pieces of food, like strawberries and watermelon.

“I like looking at the rocks and thinking what they could be. Sometimes I get an idea for a rock and hold it in my mind until I find a rock that fits.”

Sean enjoys depicting characters from movies, bugs, and messages meant to bring smiles.

“I made one with a shirt and a hanger that says, ‘Wanna Hang Out?’” At press time, that rock was still available for collecting.

Sean and Jenna will leave The Little Rock Garden available for everyone to enjoy until the snow flies, hoping the weather co-operates for a reappearance during spring break in 2021.

“They did such a good job, having an idea to bring joy to our neighbourhood and being committed to seeing it through,” said Jenna’s mother, Tania Bigelow.

“Both families are so proud of them.”

Tanya Misseghers is a community correspondent for Royalwood.