‘High O’er Vales And Hills’ In Van Ness

by Mary Beth Ray
ANC 3F03 Commissioner

If poet William Wordsworth were strolling down Connecticut Avenue at Van Ness, he might observe “a crowd, a host of golden daffodils.” Thanks to the generosity of Sandy Farber Bandier and her family, the Van Ness Vision Committee, and a host of hale and hearty volunteers back in November, spring is far lovelier in Van Ness.

More than 3,000 daffodils were planted along Connecticut Avenue from Walgreens to Calvert Woodley, and from Starbucks to Fannie Mae. And despite the polar vortex, our seemingly endless winter, and the heavy tread of commuters, the bulbs muscled their way above soil as a welcome sign of spring.

The Van Ness Vision Committee eventually hopes to transform our tree boxes in an even more meaningful way – not just with trees and flowers, but with structured soil and sustainable erosion-management techniques.