Council approves 'Adopt‑a‑Garden' program to pair volunteers with city flower beds

City staff presented an Adopt‑a‑Garden program and the Thief River Falls City Council unanimously approved establishing the program to encourage community engagement and support seasonal maintenance of municipal flower beds.

Travis, the staff presenter, said the program would accept volunteer groups, families, nonprofit organizations and local businesses. “The city would provide the flowers...they would be, to follow a specific, flowering plan for each of the gardens that they might, volunteer for,” Travis said. The city would arrange a planting day and handle watering as part of routine operations; volunteers would be asked to do weekly weeding and maintenance and to report vandalism. Travis said the city would provide a planting plan with the number and types of flowers for each adopted garden and that recognition signage could be placed within program guidelines.

Council members asked whether the city intended to avoid hiring temporary workers for planting and whether contractors might still be used on occasion; Travis said the city has used contractors in the past and that some work would remain the city's responsibility. He also said the city would step in to resume maintenance if an adopted garden was neglected. After discussion, the council approved establishing the program (motion by Councilwoman McCraw; second by Councilman Preem).

Next steps include staff drafting a planting plan and a semi‑contract or agreement that sets expectations for both the volunteer group and the city. The council noted the program aligns with city strategic planning goals to increase community participation and beautification.