Enhance Escanaba successfully completed their first project goal of planting 94 dwarf hydrangea trees, and placing 36 large cement flowerpots between 6th and 15th streets on Ludington Street in downtown Escanaba.
This project needed cement squares to be cut into the sidewalk, existing dirt to be removed and replaced with potting soil, trees to be placed at each of the 94 tree locations and then planted, staked, secured with wire, and mulched. The final step in this process was a City of Escanaba water utility truck stopping and watering each tree.
This was a huge endeavor made possible through grants and in-kind donations to Enhance Escanaba by the following: CN Railroad/America in Bloom, the City of Escanaba, the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority, Chenier’s Greenhouse, and the Community Foundation for Delta County.
Phase two of this project was also begun by placing 36 large cement pots at the corners 6th through 15th streets along Ludington Street. Annual flowers will be planted in these pots every year by Enhance Escanaba.
This workday was successful due to these dedicated volunteers; Scout Troop #411 and Troop #410 from the Red Buck District of the Hiawathaland Council, Chenier’s Greenhouse, City of Escanaba Public Works employees, Patrick Jordan, Larry Smith, Gordy Fitch, Donna Nash, Jared Nash, and the Board members of Enhance Escanaba, Karen Moore, Nick Chenier, Nicole Fitch, Cathy Jordan, Gary Nash and Mary Gayle Blasier.
A bicyclist stopped to chat with some of the volunteers. He said how much he enjoyed the transformation of Ludington Street with the addition of the hydrangea trees. His comment was the best of the day, saying, “It makes downtown smile”.
The project was funded by a $50,000 grant funded by the Canadian National Railroad and administered by America in Bloom. America in Bloom and the CN Railway have partnered to create the “EcoConnexions From the Ground Up” grants program. With a true transcontinental network that extends to three North American coasts, CN passes through a wide range of urban and rural communities. America in Bloom encourage communities along the CN corridor to take environmental action by improving their communities through healthy urban forests, natural landscaping, groundcover improvement, and flower displays. We are thankful for the awarding of this grant!
Enhance Escanaba 