Flowers will again highlight look of village

By DREW STAMBAUGH

Enterprise News Editor

Flowers will be key to the look of Swanton again this summer but the village will not be participating in the America in Bloom competition.

The beds on Main Street will once again be filled with flowers. There are also plans to expand plantings on Airport Highway and for a farmers market on Broadway Street.

The look of Airport Highway was one of the things that America in Bloom (AIB) judges were critical of, according to Neil Toeppe of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce. "They said you would never know what a beautiful uptown we have when driving down Airport," he added.

Officials are looking at examples from other cities for ideas on beautification of Airport Highway. One town took a unique approach, Toeppe said. They used concrete casket vaults that were not suitable for their original purpose as planters.

Toeppe said there are a couple reasons that Swanton will not be participating in the American in Bloom program this year.

"One reason is that the [Hallett Avenue railroad] overpass is going to be starting," he said. "The primary reason is we have gotten the evaluation [from America in Bloom judges.] We want to work on some of the suggestions before we have them back."

There are some things that have already been worked on such as a tree replanting program. Judges liked the trees in the village but want to assure replanting of trees that have to be cut down. A tree commission was formed last year, but has to be in place for a year, before the village can be named a Tree City.

Entrants in AIB also have to pay for entry and hotel rooms for judges.

Flower planting will begin in May and volunteers are needed to help get everything done. The first volunteers will be needed in early May when beds will be cleared for new plantings.

In mid to late May, volunteers will be needed for the actual planting of the beds. Finally, volunteers are needed to water the elevated containers in the downtown beds. Last year four groups did the watering with each taking a week per month.

A farmers market set to begin in June will bring more local plants to the uptown area of Swanton. There will be fresh flowers and produce from local growers, and it will not "be a flea market," said Toeppe. There may also be baked goods that are prepared locally.

Officials hope the market will bring traffic to Main Street. To coincide with that the Uptown Association has formed a committee to create activities and promotions to coincide with the farmers market.

"We want to get people to explore," said Toeppe. "And make them more aware of things that are downtown."