To the Editor,

The Marion Garden Group Beautification Initiative would like to thank all the people responsible for helping us keep the lovely gardens around town looking their best this summer.  

Because of the limited resources the town could provide to assist us with our watering efforts, we had a devoted group of “Planter Angels” step up to help. They were diligent in their watering and maintenance efforts during a very dry summer with the 15 planters we have purchased and placed around town.  

We also want to thank all the residents who cheerfully donated to our Beautification Initiative funds that help us pay for all the landscaping, plantings and maintenance of the gardens we have worked so hard to provide the town. 

We have some exciting plans for adding additional gardens throughout the town this fall and next spring. Our greatest challenge however is water for each of the garden locations. Our gardens are simply not sustainable without a water source solution. This summer, our membership had to physically carry water to each of the donated gardens. Because of the strain and impact this caused our membership, we are seeking alternate solutions to maintaining this watering need. We are looking for town assistance to add watering systems or spigots that are essential to sustain these efforts and raise the necessary funds should it be necessary to do so.

We are excited to continue our mission “to identify and improve strategic public areas within Marion by enhancing them with gardens and landscaping.” So, a big thank you to all for helping us this summer.

Suzy Taylor
Phyllis Partridge
Liz Hatch
Marion Garden Group, Beautification Initiative Team