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Council approves Belfast Garden Club plan to trim Post Office Square, add railings and granite posts
Summary
The council approved a co‑working arrangement with the Belfast Garden Club and Public Works to lower plantings that block sightlines near the Post Office, install granite posts and add ADA‑compliant railings; the Garden Club will fund plantings and help coordinate removals.
The Belfast City Council voted unanimously April 1 to approve a partnership with the Belfast Garden Club and Public Works to renovate Post Office Square, a small garden area adjacent to the library and Main Street.
Marsha Savisky, co‑chair of the Garden Club’s public garden committee, told councilors the plantings had overgrown and were blocking sightlines at a Church Street stop sign and making the adjacent step difficult for people with limited mobility. The club proposed removing or lowering large shrubs, installing two granite posts with railings at the sidewalk step, and replanting the area with more appropriate species. The Garden Club said it will pay for new plantings and handle the planting work; public works would assist with removing larger material.
Council discussion focused on safety and accessibility. Councilors asked that the posts and railings preserve step width and meet ADA considerations; the club said the granite posts will be 6-by-6 inches and trimmed if needed so they sit outside the step width. The club said a local stone cutter had offered to help modify the posts if necessary.
A motion to approve the co‑working arrangement with public works and the Garden Club carried 5‑0.
What’s next: Public Works will coordinate timing with the Garden Club; councilors and staff discussed using an existing sidewalk account to help fund rails if needed and confirmed that the Garden Club will post plans and work with staff on schedule and permitting.
