BY: AYESHA KHAN
Have you ever been walking along the Huron Wendat Trail by the Black Creek and stumbled upon a beautiful multi-level orchestra of flowers next to the path? You’ve discovered Rudy’s Garden, and it’s a beloved mainstay of the Downsview Community.
Rudolf Riske has just turned 96, and he has tended this piece of land for about 11 years now. Starting with a small patch, he grew it to the magnificent display of natural beauty it is, and takes great personal care to watch over it.
He has lived in the surrounding Derrydowns community for 56 years with his wife. A construction worker by trade, Rudy built schools for the Toronto District School Board and recreation centres for the city. He is a master carpenter who’s made dozens of cabinets and other woodwork items.
Lovingly, he shows off many small turquoise birdhouses he has made himself, housing little happy chirping birds, and a bath where small brown birds dip their feathers in water in a little crevasse.
Rudy spoke of the many endeavours he’d taken upon himself with this creek. “One time I called the TRCA [Toronto and Region Conservation Authority] because there was so much plastic in the creek. They sent a truckload full of kids and we cleaned it up.”
Once they had cleaned up the area, Rudy got to work constructing another tiered garden, transforming what was once a polluted and ignored segment of the Black Creek into a lush, vibrant, colourful arena well inhabited by wildlife.
Rudy does a lot of this work by himself, but now has a dedicated team of volunteers who help him and a growing following in the surrounding community.
Unfortunately, recently, Rudy had a small injury and wasn’t able to tend to the garden. Community residents founding themselves asking where Rudy was, almost as though the garden was missing him. Thankfully, when last we called to check up on him on August 21, he had returned to his usual work on the creek, feeling much better.
On September 11, Rudy celebrated his 96th birthday. Both City Councillor Anthony Perruzza and Member of Provincial Parliament Tom Rakocevic attended the joyous event.
Residents’ spirits continue to be lifted by the lovely and dimensional garden along the Black Creek, even into the fall season. We can all take pride in knowing that our creek is a little brighter and a lot more loved thanks to a spark of green magic in a grandfather’s hands.