West Chicago beauty effort ready to bloom
West Chicago's garden landscapes are about to pop as part of a communitywide beautification effort planned by a newly formed America in Bloom committee.
The committee is working to complement the vibrant display of Pop Art-themed street banners sponsored by the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, which will be installed in early May.
The work of 19 area artists was selected to be included in the public art display, which has become a tradition since 2009.
The exhibit will add an artistic accompaniment to the natural beauty found within downtown West Chicago's planned flower beds and planters, and hanging baskets that have been donated by Ball Horticultural Company.
Both the America in Bloom committee and the Cultural Arts Commission hope their collective efforts will wow America in Bloom judges scheduled to visit West Chicago in late July, and that the city will win an official designation as an America in Bloom City.
America in Bloom is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements such as public art installations and community health initiatives.
The newly formed committee includes representation from The GardenWorks Project, Ball Horticultural Company, People Made Visible, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage, We Grow Dreams Garden Center, the West Chicago Garden Club, the Green Disciples of the First United Methodist Church, as well as the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs of West Chicago.
Several projects are being planned to engage the community in the citywide beautification effort:
• Volunteers working through the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs will work from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, May 12, to plant the downtown flower beds. The city will supply the plant material and a pizza lunch at noon, but volunteers are asked to bring their own shovels and gloves.
• Homeowner associations have been encouraged to participate, both in the downtown planting and by creating colorful entry landscapes and encouraging residents to plant a "pop" of color in their front yards for added neighborhood enhancement.
• Another community partner, Willow Creek Wheaton, which helps those in need living in West Chicago by providing monthly donations of groceries, diapers and a children's clothing store where all items are 50 cents, is sponsoring its annual seed-packing service opportunity for families all over the world. The group's goal is to end the cycle of poverty by providing both food and a source of income. One person packing seeds for two hours provides food for about 60 families. The seed-packing takes place from 9 to 11:15 a.m., noon to 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Wheaton Academy, 900 Prince Crossing Road.
There also is one session from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22. For details, contact Anne Watson at awatson@willowcreek.org.
America in Bloom committee members are still needed.