ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Wednesday, a nonprofit spent the morning making Escanaba’s downtown a little more colorful.
Enhance Escanaba planted flowers and grasses in the 36 cement pots along Ludington Street. The group purchased the pots last year, thanks to a $50,000 grant from America in Bloom. Volunteers also planted 94 hydrangea trees in 2022.
According to Enhance Escanaba president Karen Moore, Escanaba experienced its final frost last week. She says the days following the last frost are the best opportunity to plant the flowers and keep them thriving.
Moore says the project was well-received last year. She and the other volunteers hope the flowers bring more life to Downtown Escanaba this spring and summer.
“There is actual scientific research that says beautifying a downtown helps businesses, increases their sales,” said Moore. “That’s what we’re after. We have a lot of different projects going on around town, and our mission is to make Escanaba a more beautiful place.”
The flowers and grasses were purchased at a discount from Chenier’s Greenhouse. Chenier’s also donated labor to help Enhance Escanaba with the planting.
Moore says Enhance Escanaba is always looking for more volunteers. To volunteer or to learn more about the nonprofit, visit Enhance Escanaba’s website or Facebook page.
