SHELBURNE FALLS — Although the Bridge of Flowers Committee recently considered whether it might be possible to open the landmark tourist attraction for a limited fall viewing season, it was ultimately decided the bridge will remain closed through the rest of its usual season.
The gates to the walkway over the Bridge of Flowers, which spans the Deerfield River, typically open April 1 and the bridge remains open through Oct. 31, drawing thousands of visitors to the village, but that has not happened this year due to statewide restrictions on public gatherings sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We looked again at the governor’s list of standards that must be met to safely and legally reopen botanical gardens and similar outdoor enterprises,” Bridge of Flowers Committee Chair Annette Szpila said in a prepared statement. “No one is sadder than we are at having to keep the bridge pathway closed to walkers, but the restrictions are very clear.”
Per state regulations, Szpila said, opening the Bridge of Flowers would require someone to monitor the number of people on the bridge to ensure that no more than the permitted number are on it at the same time and that all visitors wear masks. Someone would also need to record a list of the visitors’ names and details needed to pursue contact tracing efforts, should a COVID-19 outbreak occur.
As a small volunteer organization, the Bridge of Flowers Committee has no ability to do those things, Szpila said.
She added that the committee is also aware of the risk of resurgent virus outbreaks and wants to cooperate with health experts’ recommendations.
“Some people have asked why we cannot just open it as a one-way path” Szpila continued. “But the bridge pathway is narrower than 6 feet, so there would be no way for anyone to pass safely if someone wants to stop on the bridge for a while to take pictures or admire the view, as they typically do.”
Terry Estes, a member of the Buckland Board of Health, said the board, which discussed the issue at a meeting earlier in the pandemic, agrees with the committee that policing pedestrian traffic on the Bridge of Flowers would be “very difficult.”
“People deliberately walk on the wrong side of the Iron Bridge, even though everything is clearly marked with large signs,” he said. “On a very narrow path (on the Bridge of Flowers), there’s no way to get any kind of distancing. I don’t see how they would comply with any of the state rules.”
Estes added that as the bridge is private property, the town wouldn’t provide police, or any other individual, to ensure social distancing guidelines were followed on the bridge. Still, both local boards of health in Buckland and Shelburne, he said, have received questions and complaints as to why the bridge hasn’t opened.
“There’s nothing either board can do,” he said.
Szpila said visitors to Shelburne Falls can still see much of the Bridge of Flowers by walking along the wider one-way path on the Iron Bridge, and can also get a closer view of the blooms in the entry gardens on either side of the river. The gardeners, who are continuing to work through this season, have made special efforts to enhance those entry areas this year since they are more easily viewed, she said.
“We hope those who live nearby and can safely visit will bring their masks, come and walk the Iron Bridge and the village streets, enjoy the scenery and help support local shops and businesses,” Szpila said.
Those who wish to support the Bridge of Flowers financially can do so by donating online at bridgeofflowersmass.org or by mailing donations to The Bridge of Flowers, P.O. Box 335, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne