Portland has a stellar network of parks and hiking trails for city dwellers looking to swap out pavement for greenery. Another great resource for those of us looking to commune with nature can be found in our community gardens. Of course the real purpose of these plots is to give urbanities an opportunity to grow their own food, but I like to enjoy them as a pleasant walking path.

Last night I strolled through the Bayside Community Garden. It was a relaxing walk, and it was great to see all the vibrant flowers and the about to ripen tomatoes.

Unlike the other gardens in the city, this one is a bit of a maverick. Because it is on privately owned land, it is managed outside of the city's community garden network and plots are generally reserved for people who live in Bayside.

However, the rest of the gardens in the city are open to any resident. If you're thinking about doing some of your own gardening next year, now is the time to get on the list. The wait is generally more than a year. FMI call 874-8793.