Inspiring beauty

When the 3,600 citizens of Gallipolis get behind an idea, great things happen, especially when it comes to making their lovely Ohio River town a more beautiful and vibrant place to live.

So when Lori Kelly of Bob’s Market and Greenhouses suggested the town enter the America in Bloom competition in 2006, residents lined up to help. Members of garden clubs and civic leagues, local merchants and city officials formed Gallipolis in Bloom to guide their efforts.

The group’s initial beautification project was an array of 40 light pole planters for downtown, the block-long City Park and the historic bandstand. It was so successful Gallipolis won the overall award for floral displays.

“The first year we thought this was all about flowers,” says Gallipolis in Bloom President Beverly Dunkle. “Well, it’s not.” Judges evaluated everything from how the city looked to the infrastructure and ordinances that make for a thriving community, she says.

Initially, the judges seemed “very critical,” Dunkle says, citing the uncomfortable feeling of having outsiders identify issues to which you’ve become blind. But, “getting mad makes you do things.”

Gallipolis expanded its beautification efforts and continued to enter AIB contests. In 2011, it won its population category, plus the best adaptive reuse award for the 118-year old Ariel Theatre, now home to The Ohio Valley Symphony and a performing arts center.

Last year, it was recognized for best hanging baskets and overall floral display. Dunkle received the Community Champions Award, and Gallipolis was inducted into the Circle of Champions for winning more than three major honors. Residents are more motivated than ever. “It’s been pretty contagious,” says City Manager Randy Finney. They’re cleaning up yards and “planting flowers to match our flowers,” he says.

Bob’s Market stocks a special Gallipolis in Bloom section, which usually sells out early, Dunkle says.

Competitions for yard of the week, backyard beauty and business of the week have grown from a handful of participants to close to 100. Businesses sponsor the contests; local civic groups do the judging. Recognizing people’s hard work keeps the motivation high, Finney says.

Community planting days in the fall and spring now have so many volunteers that Gallipolis in Bloom had to create a map and assign planting areas. And this spring, nearly 60 students, along with civic organizations, the government, businesses and neighbors, planted a new organic community garden.

The town has nearly doubled its light pole baskets and added ground planters. Earlier this year, it unveiled a beautiful riverfront sign. Up until now, recreational boaters and tour boat passengers couldn’t identify Gallipolis unless they knew the river well, Finney says. The sign was suggested by AIB judges in 2006 and an anonymous donor plus the coordination of Gallipolis in Bloom’s Karen Smith made it a reality.

Judges’ recommendations have resulted in programs the town might not have pursued, like taking inventories of trees and streetlights. Their comprehensive reports help the city plan for the future.

Support from businesses has been vital. Bob’s Market employees design and maintain the light pole planters and play a role in just about every project. “We probably couldn’t do it without their help," Finney says.

The town’s beauty and the care with which it is maintained enhances the family atmosphere, which makes visitors want to extend their stay and come back, he adds.

The author is a freelance writer in Gurnee, Illinois.