TURNERS FALLS — It’s hard to miss the planters downtown.
There are roughly 30 between 1st and 5th streets, and most have trees. There are an array of designs, ranging from simple to elaborate.
“They add color and interest to our downtown and are a credit to the volunteers who maintain them and the individuals and businesses who provide those volunteers with financial support to assist in the purchase of plants and supplies,” said Montague Town Administrator Steve Ellis.
The planters are maintained by volunteers and a town-appointed plant coordinator who helps organize volunteers, according to Ellis. The position was established in 2015.
“The goal of establishing this position was indeed to ensure that these elements of our downtown are well maintained such that they add beauty and interest to the Avenue A streetscape,” Ellis said. “Under the direction of the volunteer coordinator, interested individuals and business essentially adopt/take responsibility for a planter (or planters).”
In the spring, Owen Wormser was appointed as plant coordinator by the Selectboard.
He said he got involved because he works as a professional gardener for Local Harmony. When he was appointed, he established two main focuses.
“We are trying to bring in more volunteers, and create more of a variety of plants,” Wormser said.
He said that the plants are high quality, tough perennials that have to meet the conditions of the site.
His long-term goal is to create such a variety that people will be drawn to Turners Falls just to look at the plants.
“We want to create a range of plants to reflect the interests of the shops and people,” said Wormser. “Because there are so many, with such space, that is so prominent, my hope is to work off what is contributed. If we get more support and create a foundation of people working on these planters, we can get specialized planters to bring the bar up even higher.”
Last Sunday, volunteers refurbished two flower beds along Avenue A — one in front of the Country Creemee and another in front of Pipione’s Sport Shop.
Suzanne LoManto, cultural coordinator for the town of Montague, said they wanted to have some of the planters cleaned, as they were looking overgrown.
“This time of year, it’s important to take care of gardens in general,” LoManto said. “These planters are a big responsibility.”
Plants were removed and ones that were in good condition were salvaged. Then compost was laid down and 60 perennials were planted.
Annie Levine, co-founder of the Great Falls Apple Corps and volunteer, said she helps remind Wormser and others about utilizing the planters for edible plants, herbs or plants with medicinal uses because the plants can attract people to town.
“We’re lucky enough to have a downtown area with such an emphasis on the planters, it’s a huge part of the aesthetics,” Levine said. “The planters here are beautiful and bring a lot of life downtown. Not only that, but we can also show people that food is everywhere.”
While there are many volunteers that help to maintain and clean, LoManto and Wormser said they could use more help in the future.
“The community has been really supportive, and my goal is to make it as interesting as possible and make it an asset and an attraction for people to come to see,” Wormser said. “We’re hoping that more volunteers could help. That would ensure the success of this project. After all, it’s a community project, if the community isn’t involved, what good is it?”
“If people stopped once a month to check in and pull weeds, it would look great,” LoManto said.
Funds donated from local businesses as well as the town of Montague helped to purchase new annual flowers and mulch. Donors include Greenfield Savings Bank, the Town of Montague, the Center for Responsive Schools, Loot, Stenhouse, Gary’s Coins, Country Creemee and compost from Martin’s Farm.