‘A welcome sight’: Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls opens for 2026 season

SHELBURNE FALLS — Although the first day of spring was two weeks ago, those who live and work in the village say it doesn’t truly feel like the season has arrived until the Bridge of Flowers has opened.

Although the bridge will be closed for soil work and gardening in the coming weeks, the gates were opened to the public for the first time in 2026 on Wednesday, April 1.

“After a long winter, we’re sure that you, like us, are ready to welcome spring and once again enjoy our beloved bridge walkway and garden,” the Bridge of Flowers Committee shared on Facebook. “We are busy cleaning off winter debris and awaiting a new soil shipment.”

Volunteer Jorie MacLeod said that although the committee wanted to keep with its tradition of opening on April 1, she and the other gardeners in the Blossom Brigade will be doing a lot more work on the bridge, since a long winter and frost prevented gardeners from completing improvements to the soil and working on planting.

“We agreed to go ahead and open it. We usually open it on the first of April, and we agreed to open it because the footpath is so important to the people in town,” MacLeod noted.

She said the soil that was used last year did not support plant growth as well as the committee had hoped, so they decided to replace it. After that is done, they can begin planting the hundreds of perennials and will augment the garden throughout the season.

“Truckloads of dirt have to be moved in and out,” MacLeod explained. “We’re just playing it by ear and are keeping it positive.”

Business owners in the village said the reopening of the Bridge of Flowers is a sign that the busy season is on its way, and tourists will soon be exploring the shops and restaurants.

“It always brings a lot of traffic,” said Jenny Buxton, who owns Beth and Frances Boutique with Dana Cusimano. “People come to see it. Even when it was closed for some time, there was still summer foot traffic, and I think the regulars that come all the time want to see the progress from knowing there was a big bridge renovation and seeing all the plants gone to where it is today. People want to see it with its new growth.”

She said people often enter her 3 Bridge St. shop, almost perpendicular to the Bridge of Flowers, after visiting the tourist attraction. But every once in a while, a customer will come in who isn’t aware of the bridge and she sends them over. She noted that the Bridge of Flowers is beautiful and sentimental to her family, as she got engaged there. Her husband assisted in its renovations by installing the stone compass rose in the center.

“It’s such a special place to me personally. We got engaged on the bridge, so it’s super special for me, and to see it every day from my place of work is incredible,” Buxton said. “And my husband’s company did the stonework in the center, so that’s extra special. The bridge for me is just such a gem.”

Buckland Town Administrator Pam Guyette said her view of the bridge is pretty great as well. Her office is directly across from the Buckland side of the bridge and she gets to watch the gardeners pulling weeds and planting flowers. She added that after the bridge was closed for repairs and had a shorter season last year after reopening in July, it will be great for the community to enjoy a full season with the Bridge of Flowers open.

“It’s always a welcome sight to see the Bridge of Flowers reopen,” Guyette said. “I’m sure we’re going to be flooded with visitors before we know it. … I think that all of us, after this winter, are ready for spring.”