Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Volunteers outline expansion of Thief River Falls hanging-flower program, seek sponsors
Summary
Volunteers told the city council they will expand the downtown hanging-flower program from about 120 to 125 baskets, switch to larger self-wicking pots to reduce daily watering and seek sponsorships ($75 per basket) and foundation support to cover roughly $20,000 in materials.
Carol Eilley and other volunteers described plans to expand Thief River Falls’ downtown hanging-flower program and asked the council to note volunteer needs and partnership support.
The volunteers, who said they managed the program’s first year of city-installed baskets, told the council they are ordering 125 larger baskets this year and switching to a wicking-reservoir design to reduce watering frequency. "The baskets themselves are $75, and the hangers that she showed you are $60," one volunteer said, and organizers estimated materials costs at "over $20,000." They also said a grant from the Hearts Foundation allowed them to replace a problem UTV last year.
Why it matters: the program places planters on downtown poles and relies on community sponsors and volunteers for planting and watering; organizers said the new design should reduce daily watering and volunteer burden but will require initial fundraising to cover equipment and brackets.
Details and logistics: volunteers described last year’s challenges — cracked pots, daily watering and a donated UTV that needed repair — and said the new pots (about 23–24 inches) hold more and include a reservoir and wick that brings water up to the plants. They said last year’s program used about 120 pots and this year’s order of 125 expands to additional poles on 1st Street, 3rd Street and toward the downtown boulevard and gazebo area. Volunteers said they will coordinate with the city’s electric department on new brackets and with staff on placement.
Funding and sponsorships: volunteers said sponsorship remains $75 per basket and that some residents donated amounts below or above that level; they said they are seeking additional foundation support (they mentioned applying to a local foundation for about $5,000) and encouraged continued community donations to cover the higher up-front costs of new pots and hangers.
Next steps: volunteers said they expect to receive and stage plants in late May and aim to hang the baskets around June 1. City staff and council members thanked the volunteers for their efforts and noted city assistance with hanging and takedown at season end.
