Flower program provides springtime revival for downtown Monroe

Through contributions from local businesses and a hard-working crew of volunteers, spring has sprung in downtown Monroe.

From the hanging baskets to the large, stationary planting pots, Monroe's city flower program has added a fresh burst of color to Main Street. It was a collaborative effort, Monroe City Parks Director Mike Farrell said last week. Local companies that include Lowe's, Pine Creek Nursery and Republic Services stepped up to support the flower program, along with volunteers from the Monroe Garden Club and the Downtown Monroe Association (DMA).

Greenbank Gardens, a Redmond-based landscaping firm, also contributed to the project.

In addition to donating $500 to help pay for flowers, the Monroe Garden Club held a celebratory "planting day,GÇ¥ to fill the city's hanging baskets with fresh flowers purchased at a discount from Pine Creek Nursery. The potting soil was provided by the Monroe Lowe's, also at a discount. An additional $500 was donated by Republic Services to help fund the project. Flowers for the stationary pots were provided by Greenbank Gardens at a discounted rate.

DMA volunteers Teresa Willard, Samantha Idle, Erin Angus-Snapka and Patty Gibbons spent On Monday, May 23, brightening the pots along East and West Main streets.

Farrell told the Monroe City Council that the monetary value of donations and volunteer labor equated to approximately $2,500.

The final phase of the flower program takes place in a couple weeks, Farrell said. Currently, inmates at the Monroe Correctional Complex are tending to a massive crop of begonias, which will be planted by a crew next month.-á -á

"We have over 3,000 beautiful begonias growing inside the prison right now,GÇ¥ Farrell said. "So, in another couple of weeks they'll be all planted out there by a DOC work crew.GÇ¥