The Aberdeen Beautification Committee is celebrating 11 years of beautifying downtown Aberdeen with vibrant flowers, greenery and plant displays. The nonprofit beautification committee collaborates with the Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Department to create eye dazzling displays of color and intentional visual improvements to the city’s appeal. The community plays a crucial role too. Local businesses and sponsors contribute to the beautification projects. And the resonating response over the years has been one of rave reviews from residents, visitors and surrounding areas.
“I am so excited that the Downtown Association has put together a Beautification Committee,” says Douglas Orr, mayor of Aberdeen. The effects of the work they do are extremely important to the well-being of our community. The impacts of the committee’s work are felt daily by our community and also thousands of tourists who pass through our city each year.”
Aberdeen Bloom Team
Through partnership with Aberdeen Parks and Recreation, the Aberdeen Beautification Committee’s volunteer-run Bloom Team stays intentionally focused on its mission to cultivate gorgeous flower displays in downtown Aberdeen. A life force to the ongoing beautification efforts, the Bloom Team strives to keep the greenery and flower pots looking fresh and colorful year-round.
“Our sole goal is the flower program,” says Bobbi McCracken, a Bloom Team volunteer and member of the Aberdeen Beautification Committee. McCracken founded the Bloom Team with her project partner Bette Worth in 2014. McCracken and Worth have partnered on many of the beautification projects over the years. “We plant pansies in the fall and during November we put together hanging baskets with greens and ornaments,” shares McCracken. “These are hung on Broadway.”
Easily spotted in their bright pink vests, the Bloom Team tirelessly dedicates time and energy to manage the planting and maintaining of 150 hanging baskets and 120 aggregate pots on sidewalks and medians in the downtown corridor during the spring and summer months. The group also dedicates time to cleaning the downtown area. Facilitating fundraising and community events to help support the flower program and beautification projects are among ongoing efforts to continually foster a more attractive, livable and vibrant Aberdeen.
“The large pink hanging baskets draw attention and has resulted in other communities contacting us about starting their own program,” says McCracken. “The flower program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents, visitors, and stakeholders who have praised its impact on the community and quality of execution. Testimonials and endorsements from community members attest to the program’s success in enhancing the quality of life, promoting civic pride and making Aberdeen a more attractive place to live, work and visit.”
Aberdeen Beautification Committee Helps Plants Thrive
Keeping fresh flowers thriving in Aberdeen’s weather patterns isn’t without curve balls. The location of the baskets and pots along the downtown corridor expose them to coastal winds. To mitigate the challenges of strong wind that can sweep the area, robust flowers such as Supertunia Royal Velvet Petunia hybrids and Geraniums are among the colorful delights successfully tenured inside the dedicated pots and displays. “Due to the volume of flowers, a commercial nursery is needed to supply the flowers,” shares McCracken. “The committee does the summer petunias, fall pansies and winter evergreens.”
Community Pride in Aberdeen
Community-driven with a sense of fun and heart, the Aberdeen Beautification Committee is strengthening the city of Aberdeen as a destination location. Anyone interested is welcome to lend a hand to the projects. Volunteering provides a chance to give back to the community while meeting new people. The committee engages in seasonal activities too. These activities might include themed banners and festive, holiday ornaments. The Bloom Team meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays May through December. Contact Bobbi McCracken at 360.580.7734 or Bette Worth at 360.580.0019 to learn more.
Looking ahead, the committee has a clear vision: to keep Aberdeen blooming year-round and to inspire people to explore what Aberdeen has to offer. “The long-term vision,” says McCracken, “is to encourage visitors to not just drive through but to stop and visit the businesses.”
“For locals, it is a chance to brag about our town’s beautiful flower basket program that is a model for other cities around the county and state,” says Mayor Orr. “For tourists, the program sets our best foot forward and gives tourists something to take pictures of and show to their friends. I am so proud of this committee and its work and can’t wait to see what else this committee comes up with to celebrate our city—thanks Bobbi and Bette!”
