Bishops Corner Is Now in Bloom
The KNOX planters arrived in West Hartford’s Bishops Corner neighborhood last week, and a group gathered Tuesday morning for a dedication.
By Ronni Newton
The blooming of Bishops Corner, and the official start of summer, is cause for celebration and on Tuesday morning the Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association thanked the families and businesses that sponsored the 16 planters that now beautify the streetscape along North Main.
KNOX delivered the planters last week, on the first day of summer, and under the sponsorship agreement will water and maintain the plantings, and replace the plants in the fall.
“This is the second year we’ve had these planters and we’re really excited about having them again this year,” Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association Board Chair Bob Fressola told a small crowd that gathered on North Main Street Tuesday morning for the dedication.
“I think the overwhelming response of both residents and businesses has been that it really adds a dynamic to the neighborhood, so we’re really excited about it,” Fressola said. He said he had been getting calls throughout the spring, wondering if the planters were going to return this year.
“It couldn’t happen without all of you,” he said.
Several sponsors joined Fressola on Tuesday morning, including Mayor Shari Cantor, Gina Marino of the West Hartford Senior Center, Bob Macca of Macca Plumbing & Heating, Doug Pyne of Whole Foods, David Goldberg of Companions for Living, and John Tunsky of TO Design.
Other businesses that sponsored planters include Edens; Abby Dabby; Susan Brine of Raveis Real Estate; Connecticut Center for Oral, Facial, and Implant Surgery; The Mercy Community; and Anytime Fitness. In addition, several area residents also sponsored planters including Becky Webber, the Fierston family, Jack Bass, and Michael Levinson.
“It was really nice to see both businesses and residents involved to see these planters return,” Fressola said.
“Next year we plan to expand even further,” said Fressola. “Next year we hope to grow the program to include Albany Avenue as well.”
KNOX planters have already arrived or will soon be arriving in the Elmwood and Park Road neighborhoods as well as in the Home Design District.
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[…] Bishops Corner celebrated the arrival of its planters from Knox last week, but as hot as it is now, warm weather was late in coming this year and orders are taking longer to fill. In an email sent to its members on Thursday, Elmwood Business Association President Rick Liftig said, “Simply, our planters just aren’t ready yet and we are hoping for delivery the week of July 9th or before. Apologies to everyone, but apparently we don’t have the secret to making the plants grow any faster.” Never fear, Elmwood, as well as Park Road and the Home Design District will be blooming soon! […]
[…] The Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association will be bringing back its planter program for the third year. “These large, colorful planters make a huge impact on Bishops Corner and we hope to continue the tradition,” the BCNA said in an email. Sponsors are needed, and it’s possible to partially fund a planter if you’re not able to commit to the full sponsorship. Full sponsorship ($404.13, tax included) includes name/business listed on all publicity, business logo on flyers, website and – new this year – signage on planter; and invitation to a ribbon cutting event. Partial sponsorship ($102, tax included) includes name listed in all publicity, website and signage on planter. Summer and fall plantings as well as regular maintenance such as regular watering and replacing dead plants is included. To order a planter or for more information, please visit the BCNA website or email [email protected]. To date, full sponsors include Mayor Shari Cantor, The Mercy Community, Companions for Living, West Hartford Senior Center, Macca Plumbing & Heating, and Abby Dabby Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt. Partial sponsors to date are Mike Levinson, Shari Cantor, Marty & Becky Webber, Phil Barlow, Yvette Law LLC, Christine Looby, Julianne Roth, Cynthia Coppage, and Jack Bass. Click here to see how nice the planters in Bishops Corner looked last year! […]