Volunteer gardeners help spruce up West Dundee
West Dundee trustees and residents will continue the tradition they started three years ago and celebrate Earth Day with a planting and cleanup party on Saturday, April 21.
The revelers, also known as volunteer gardeners, will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the village hall, 102 S. Second St. and work until noon, said village trustee and organizer Becky Gillam.
“We'll be working with the planters along West Main Street,” she said. “Some of the plants we put in last year are not thriving, so we'll move them to an area near the riverwalk.”
The plants volunteers remove will be replaced with flowers that are more adaptable to the heat of a downtown setting, she said.
The volunteer day is designed to give residents an investment in the landscape of their village. Three are planned during the year; the first day is scheduled near the national observance of Earth Day, April 22.
Other volunteer work days have been planned for June 23 and Aug. 25.
“We've had a good turnout in the past,” Gillam said. “We've had as many as 75 volunteers help us rake, trim and plant different areas around the village.”
The volunteer work day is part of the “Earth Day Every Day Community Gardening Project.” Volunteers are not only asked to spruce up the village, but they can also adopt one of several planters near Second Street.
After purchasing and planting the flowers for the planter, village public works employees will water them. Then, employees will place a card with the family's name in front of the planter.
“Having residents plant the flowers helps us a lot,” Gillam said. “It also allows them an opportunity to be involved with the planters.”
When purchasing flowers, residents are asked to select ones that do not require much water. Also, they should purchase annuals that will thrive in a downtown area, which usually is warmer.
For details about, the gardening project, call the West Dundee village hall at (847) 551-3800, or visit the village's Internet site at wdundee.org.
On the day of the gardening project, volunteers are urged to wear comfortable clothing and bring with them gloves and gardening tools such as rakes and trowels.