Official website of the Bridge of Flowers

  The year 2009 began rather bleakly for the Bridge of Flowers. In 2008, we had the lowest income from

donation boxes in ten years, a drop in the number of visitors, and repeated incidents of theft; it was a risky time

to launch an annual giving program. Our first action in

2009 was to make a direct cut to the flower budget.

The year might have been a bad year for the Bridge of

Flowers. Instead, it was spectacular.

  Strong support from our first ever Friends of the

Bridge fundamentally changed our financial situation,

and by the middle of the season, we were able to

restore funds to our flower budget. In short, your

generous gifts made this a remarkable year. Here are

some of the highlights:

• 34,146 people from every state and 91 countries/

islands signed our guest books. This is the largest

number of visitors recorded in recent history, and

it is a 62% increase over last year.

• The launch of a website, whose flavor and soundtrack are

homegrown, marks a first-time venture for the Bridge of Flowers online. The site, bridgeofflowersmass.org,

has improved our ability to communicate information about the Bridge of Flowers to people all over the

world who want to know more.

• A newly re-designed, four-color rack card now represents the Bridge of Flowers, thanks to our three local

banks.

• The new Bridge of Flowers sign and the new Buckland “kiosk” are getting rave reviews. Resulting

improvements from the kiosk include universal access, a greater display area for bridge information, the

presence of the SFABA town map on the bridge for the first time, and greater donation box security. On the

Shelburne side, the new sign has made a noticeable difference in people’s ability to find the bridge. It is

lovely in part because it stands out and blends in. These multi-year renovation projects culminated in the

work you see this year. They were made possible by the generous gifts of an anonymous donor couple and

the talents and time of local designers, builders and artists.

• The bridge path was resurfaced. Carting and raking in 15 yards of pea stone was a lot of work for our

volunteers and businesses that helped.

• On a spectacularly sunny summer day, the Bridge of Flowers turned 80 in style. As Last Night’s Fun played

some pretty fun music, people took time to visit and mingle, including several tri-generational groups who

used the celebration as an opportunity to get together.

• We often tell people who call that there is no real peak bloom on the Bridge of Flowers – it always looks

amazing and there is always something new to see. What is remarkable is that this is true. The garden really

does look amazing from the day it opens until closing. It seemed particularly lovely this year. Carol

DeLorenzo and Tish Murphy, the bridge gardeners, have exceptionally good taste in plants and their

placement, and they also have a unique capacity for detail in the work of gardening. The many volunteers

who work on the bridge every week know well that it is this detailed work of gardening – the deadheading,

path raking, and weeding – that makes each bloom count.

  The individuals and businesses listed in these pages gave their time, talent and financial resources; they

made these projects happen. Through their help, 2009 was a very good year for the bridge. In this inaugural

year for the Friends of the Bridge, early response from members of the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club,

business support even in a rough year, and individual contributions from near and far combined to make this year a success. Because of the generosity of the Friends of the Bridge, we moved from a position of financial vulnerability to one of greater security. We now have increased capacity for financial planning and the ability to continue to renovate above-ground features of the Bridge of Flowers.

  So many people care about this unique garden, and we are grateful that you translated your caring into concrete support through Friends of the Bridge. We thank you for an exciting and successful 2009 and look forward to what 2010 has in store.

Respectfully submitted,

Bridge of Flowers Committee, 2009

  Julie Petty & Judy Lawler, Co-Chairs Judy Harlow

  Ellie Baker Amelia Heddens

  Catherine Fahy Lynda Leitner

  Joanie Greenfield Elaine Parmett

  Carolyn Halloran Marion Taylor

We report with sadness the loss of two members in 2009 – Madeline McKinnon and Susie Robbins.

We welcome two new members in 2010 – Sarah Heminger and Pat Leuchtman.

Special thanks to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Buckland and Shelburne Police, and the Shelburne Falls Fire and Water District.