ORANGE — Leonard Bedaw works in Orange and lives in Greenfield, where his neighbor is Nancy Hazard, a member of Greening Greenfield.
Originally known as the Greenfield Energy Committee, Greening Greenfield is a group of citizens working with residents, businesses and the city government to develop a more resilient and sustainable city. So Bedaw started wondering, if Greenfield can get “greener,” why can’t Orange get “oranger?”
“Orange is in pretty desperate need of some beautification,” he said. “I personally think that is the key to the economic success of the area. I think if you just make something beautiful, people will want to come there.”
Bedaw, who for nearly 29 years has worked as the Orange Municipal Airport’s manager, was passionate enough to pen a letter to the editor advocating for his idea. He said Orange was once considered the start of the Mohawk Trail, the first scenic road in New England. But, he said, nowadays most tourists’ first stop is the French King Bridge, before moving on to Turners Falls, Greenfield and Shelburne Falls, often driving through Orange without stopping.
“I propose a challenge to the town of Orange and its citizens to plant 1,000 sugar maple trees. If the town took the lead and planted sugar maple trees at their town departments, parks and along the streets near the center of town, perhaps the citizens of Orange would accept the challenge and follow suit,” Bedaw wrote in his letter to the editor.
“Imagine the explosion of color each fall as the town of Orange turns vibrant orange. This is the type of public relations story that could attract national attention and help Orange reclaim its rightful title as ‘The Gateway to the Mohawk Trail.’”
Bedaw said beautifying the once-thriving industrial town is vital to improving its economy. He believes capitalizing on the North Quabbin region’s bountiful nature resources will encourage developers to build shops and eateries that will bring in additional tourists and, with them, revenue and job opportunities.
Orange could use Shelburne Falls as a model, Bedaw said, as the town takes advantage of its quaintness and beauty. He noted the famous Bridge of Flowers brings in countless tourists and its guest books contain messages from people who have visited from all over the world.
“You need a hook,” he said.
Bedaw said he is confident his ideas will be met with some opposition, but referenced Brattleboro, Vt., as a comparison. He said the annual Strolling of the Heifers there was initially opposed by many who felt shutting down a busy street to parade around some cattle would cripple downtown businesses, but the event has become one of the biggest in Vermont.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.