Captions: Top row, Broadway at Highway 58; Prince Charles Drive at Colbeck Drive. Bottom: Prince Charles Drive at First Avenue; Niagara Street at Riverbank; and Ontario Road at Southworth Street.
By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large; Photos by Tony Gallaccio
WELLAND – It would be uncharacteristic of me to drive by the city’s floral display tribute beds without turning my head to give them a second look. Or a third.
It would be uncharacteristic of me to let the summer go by without commenting on how they contribute to the local landscape. Not just this year. But year after year.
The beds are nothing less than works of floral art.
I’ve felt that way for years.
The five beds are: Prince Charles Drive at First Avenue, Prince Charles Drive at Colbeck Drive, Broadway at Highway 58, Niagara Street at Riverbank and Ontario Road at Southworth Street. Watch them fill out as the days go by.
The beds pay tribute to community groups or institutions celebrating significant milestone anniversaries or holding special events, for example. Or they can be lighthearted, fun salutes to cultural icons. Themes of three of the beds are:
Prince Charles Drive at First Avenue: 2024, Chinese Year of the Dragon,
Prince Charles Drive at Colbeck Drive: RCAFAssociation 434 Wing Welland, 100th anniversary
Broadway at Highway 58: Welland Lodge 617, Croatian Fraternal Union of America, 100th anniversary;
The tribute beds showcase the talent of the city’s own gardeners of course. But they are also significant for shining a light on community groups, organizations and events and their importance in the community. Oftentimes, they go overlooked or are unappreciated.
I’m not the first to compliment city staff for their fine work in these tribute beds and I won’t be the last. Here it comes: Great work, City of Welland horticultural staff – you rose to the occasion once again! We’re proud of you.
Gadabout Gardener will appear on the site once or twice monthly until fall.
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