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What was once a dirty street filled with overflowing trash cans is now a colorful urban oasis surrounded by lush greenery.
Hayden Lane Garden is a quiet haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst, just east of Sydney’s CBD.
Community members rallied to give the forgotten corner a green makeover, commissioning local artists to paint murals all over the walls, creating a stunning explosion of colour.
Sebastian Vasquez and Mike Heenan, who have lived near the track for more than 20 years, self-funded the transformation to discourage illegal dumping and anti-social behavior on the street during Sydney’s Covid lockdown.
They cleared the trash and broken furniture and worked tirelessly to clear the space and make room for dozens of potted plants.
Before and after: A dirty lane where people used to dump their waste illegally has been transformed into the stunning urban oasis, Hayden Lane Garden
Sebastian Vasquez and Mike Heenan, who have lived near the track for 20 years, self-funded the transformation to discourage illegal dumping and anti-social behavior on the street
Hayden Lane is a quiet haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst just east of Sydney’s CBD
Sebastian and Mike appealed to their neighbors to donate ‘half-dead’ plants so they could bring them back to life and revive Hayden Lane and turn it into a community garden.
By February 2021, the course was clear of litter and lined with growing greenery before artists came to add color with a series of murals.
Painter George Hambov adorned one wall with a stunning snake named Caroline, while Hayden Lane residents covered the doors and fences in a rainbow of colors.
Clearing the trash and dumping broken furniture, they worked tirelessly to clear the space and make room for dozens of potted plants
Zac Bennett-Brook of Salt Water Dreamtime was also commissioned for a stunning purple dot painting.
‘The circles overlap to recognize the importance of working together and supporting each other. It also represents reconciliation and being inclusive,’ he said on Hayden Lane’s Instagram page.
Artist Christina Tsaou added an incredible mural of swimming koi fish, and Manda Lane added botanical illustrations to an otherwise plain black garage door.
Thanks to Mike and Sebastian’s green thumbs, the previously wilting houseplants are now a jungle of greenery with the kaleidoscopic artworks in the background.
Artist Christina Tsaou added an incredible mural of swimming koi fish, and Manda Lane added botanical illustrations to an otherwise plain black garage door
Thanks to Mike and Sebastian’s green thumbs, the previously wilting houseplants are now a jungle of green with the kaleidescopic artworks in the background
Giant elephant ear fronds, monsteras, ferns and fiddle leaf figs shade the edge of Hayden Lane, which is a popular spot for locals and visitors to walk their dogs.
Sweet details are hidden around the course from the chat chair to rainbow ibis and a hand painted Colombian style birdhouse.
To top off the lane’s makeover, a neighbor set up twinkling fairy lights to provide illumination and safety for those looking to enjoy the thoroughfare after dark.
A number of shops, bars and eateries return to the track, including Darlinghurst favorite Shadow Bakery, which serves a range of delights created by three head chefs from popular ice cream brand Messina.