The Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association (BCNA) partnered with the Knox Foundation and local businesses to buy planters that now line North Main Street.

By Jackie Palermo

Thanks to the generous donations from local businesses in Bishop’s Corner – including Abby Dabby, Anytime Fitness, The McAuley, Edens, West Hartford Senior Center, Companions for Living, Direct Line Media, Whole Foods, and TO Design – as well as Mayor Shari Cantor, 12 new 36-inch planters full of beautiful flowers can be seen on both sides of North Main Street in Bishops Corner.

This Wednesday, June 28, the BCNA hosted a recognition ceremony for the planter project, hoping “to draw attention to the planters and thank the businesses that donated,” said Robert Fressola, president of the Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association.

The Knox Foundation uses “horticulture” to engage with the community, local business and residents in building a more beautiful greater Hartford area, but also provides a valuable service to the Greater Hartford community in another important way. The planter project beautifies storefronts while also providing the opportunity for reemployment of incarcerated Hartford residents.

Fressola explained that “the response from businesses was more than we had expected … there was great participation.”

Whole Foods Marketing Team Leader Bill Butcher described how excited he and the other representatives of Whole Foods were about the project.

“Most of the people work and live in the community, so it’s nice to see it looking beautiful,” he said.

Fressola hopes to grow the support for next year, explaining that the project is only the beginning and that the the planters “will be even more beautiful as time goes on”.

The BCNA is hoping that the planters will slow traffic in the area, and encourage “a pedestrian friendly walkable streetscape.” Members of the community have already voiced their appreciation and excitement for the project.

“They are a big improvement for the community … they look great!” was the sentiment shared by a ceremony attendee.

Fressola concluded the ceremony by thanking the businesses again.

“You make the town look beautiful!” he said.

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Members of the Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association and town leaders held a recognition ceremony Wednesday to recognize the businesses that contributed to the planters. Photo credit: Jackie Palermo

Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association President Bob Fressola speaks about the new planters. Photo credit: Jackie Palermo

The 12 planters have beautified the Bishops Corner streetscape on both sides of North Main Street. Photo credit: Jackie Palermo