Several gardens could be installed around roads in the town of Appomattox this fall as part of the town’s beautification effort if Town Council approves the project.
Proctor Harvey, of Lynchburg-based Harvey Land Design Architect, presented the preliminary comprehensive roadside management program for the town at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. His company has been working with the town to create the plan for more than a month.
The program is entitled ROSE, which stands for Roadway Opportunities for Sustainable Enhancements. It is based on the Lynchburg program, which has been in place for nearly 20 years and has more than 50 gardens along roads in the city.
The goal of Appomattox’s program is to create donation-funded gardens around town to improve appearances and attract more people and businesses. It was one of Town Council’s priority initiatives for the year and developed into a separate committee, headed by Councilwoman Mary Lou Spiggle.
Through the program, businesses donate a certain amount of money that would install and maintain a garden for five years. The town of Appomattox would be responsible for the maintenance and the donor would have a sign advertising their organization or business displayed with the garden. The donor would have the opportunity to continually renew the agreement.
Donations would not exceed $7,500, which is the minimum amount the Virginia Department of Transportation allows for these gardens and signs. The department also has regulations on the types of signs that can be installed and the spacing between them.
The fee would cover the installation and maintenance costs for five years. The committee is looking into the possibility of having multiple donors for spots to bring the needed donation per individual down, as well as creating payment plans, Spiggle said.
Donations are tax deductable.
All of the money goes to a fund, separate from the town’s operating budget and will be used to cover the costs of the program. The committee is still looking into who will maintain the gardens. Some possibilities are town employees or by horticulture students in county schools. There is also a possibility a landscaping company would maintain all of the sites in exchange for a garden of its own.
“The maintenance is more expensive than the program,” Harvey said.
Jane Coleman, of the town’s garden club, said she supported the idea but said whoever takes care of the gardens should be knowledgeable of the plants there and how to maintain them. The garden club planted 75 dogwood trees years ago and only two are left because town staff didn’t treat them properly, nicking the bark during weed removal.
Harvey said he’s had a lot of success with the program in other localities and hopes for similar results in Appomattox once people start to see the gardens around town.
“It just takes a life of its own,” he said. “People are interested. They ask about it and seek out sites.”
The program also reduces litter and boosts community pride, Harvey said.
“You want people to come in and admire the beauty of the area and appreciate the history,” he said, adding now is a good time to do this because the sesquicentennial will draw a lot of people to the area next April.
Harvey said this is helpful for economic development even past the sesquicentennial because it is advertising along the roadways in lieu of billboards.
“It’s a very nice, tasteful way of letting people know we’re there,” he said.
Harvey provided a master plan to the 15 audience members and council Tuesday night. The plan highlights 25 possible sites within the town, based on daily traffic counts and land beside the roads. The sites are suggestions to help people start off, but he said they would be willing to work with the donor. They generally don’t locate on residential roads.
Town Council and the town’s chamber of commerce are planning to partner for the first garden, which is expected to be located along U.S. 460 between Kroger and Walmart.
The chamber of commerce had tried to do a similar program recently but wasn’t able to get people to commit and provide funding.
The next step will be for council to create a resolution and advertisement for a public hearing on the program, which is slated for May 27. Council is expected to vote on it in June.
If approved, and depending on interest, the planting will occur this fall.
Throughout his years creating these gardens and programs around the state, Harvey has determined which plants look good and require little maintenance, which he uses to help donors create their gardens.
The marketing book, which Harvey and committee members will use to solicit donations this summer and gain interest, is expected to be completed in May.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the community, not just the town, but the whole community,” Spiggle said.
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