In light of the closure of the iconic Bridge of Flowers for extensive repairs this season, Shelburne Falls is gearing up for an alternative attraction through a community-led beautification effort known as the “Village of Flowers.”
The initiative, spearheaded by local organizers, aims to enhance the downtown and storefront area, offering residents and visitors alike an array of visual delights despite the closure of the beloved tourist spot. An informational session is scheduled for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Trinity Church Fellowship Hall located at 17 Severance St. Hosted by organizer Cate Chadwick and real estate agent Phil Pless, the session will welcome members of the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club to participate.
Topics up for discussion include opportunities for perennial gardens around the village and collaboration with other community groups to infuse a floral theme into various events. Proposed ideas include organizing area garden tours to engage visitors and residents alike. Chadwick and Pless will draw inspiration from similar beautification projects in neighboring communities and outline the multi-phase nature of the project expected to unfold over the coming years.
Already on the agenda are several projects, including the annual Bridge of Flowers Plant Sale slated for May 11 and an art exhibit and sale scheduled from August 16 to 18. Additionally, the Bridge of Flowers Committee plans a tour of “hidden gardens” in Buckland and Shelburne in July.
Despite the closure, the significance of the Bridge of Flowers to the region cannot be understated, drawing an estimated 33,000 visitors annually. However, it’s believed that only about 30% of visitors actually sign the guestbook, suggesting the true footfall could be closer to 100,000.
The closure of the 116-year-old former trolley bridge is part of a multi-million-dollar reconstruction project projected to extend through the 2024 season. Flowering plants were removed from the bridge in October, with salvageable specimens finding temporary homes within the community until construction is completed.