EDMONDS — The 130-plus hanging flower baskets in downtown Edmonds are up for adoption.
Businesses and individuals can “adopt” a flower basket for a one-season donation of $100 per basket. The season runs now through September. The donations will help to offset the cost of Edmonds’ total flower program.
So far 11 of the baskets are sponsored, according to Renée McRae, recreation manager for the city.
It is hoped that 100 baskets will be adopted, said Carrie Hite, director of parks and recreation.
“This is one small way that residents can help support a program that is so loved and valued in the community,” she said.
Donations can be made in memoriam, to honor a birthday, commemorate an anniversary or to honor someone. Once the baskets are in place, small donor recognition plaques will be placed on the lower rungs.
The Adopt-A-Flower Basket program was initiated by former Councilman Jack Bevan, who banded together neighbors to form the city’s first Adopt-A-Park group to benefit Hutt Park. Bevan convinced Councilwoman Diane Buckshnis to spearhead a similar charge for the city’s hanging baskets.
“Why this program is needed now is a no-brainer,” Buckshnis said. “This is a wonderful way to showcase the depth of commitment of our citizenry in the beautification of our city.”
That cost is more than $40,000, according to the city’s 2012 budget.
Plants for the city are selected based on hardiness, ease of care and color. More than 20,000 plants are raised from seed in the city’s greenhouses. They each play a part in the displays within the hanging baskets along with corner parks and gateway plantings. The plants are in their highest color from May through September.
Edmonds’ flower efforts originated in the 1970s as part of the city’s street beautification program. A cadre of volunteers, along with city staff, work together to plant the baskets and the park displays.
Edmonds Adopt-A-Flower Basket
COST: $100 one-season donation per basket
MORE INFO: http://flowerprogram.edmondswa.gov
Information and forms also are available at City Hall, 121 Fifth Ave. N, and the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St.
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