Volunteers make Broad Street in Sewickley more colorful with flowers

Broad Street in Sewickley just got a lot more colorful.

Nearly 20 volunteers and three borough public works laborers spent the morning of May 14 planting about 4,000 flowers in the islands of the major roadway.

Plants included begonias, vinca, zinnias, snapdragons, marigolds and verbena, among others.

Public works crews prepared the flower beds and dug holes using power augers.

Borough Council President Cynthia Mullins, who was among the volunteer planters, said the workers’ assistance was much appreciated.

“We have been doing this for several years and had a very impressive number of volunteers this year,” Mullins said. “Starbucks sent a small crew and provided coffee. Our public works department did a great job of preparing the soil and getting rid of the weeds. We also planted a small rose garden at the corner of Broad Street and Frederick Avenue.”

The effort was also supported by the Sewickley Civic Garden Council.

Garden council president Karen Galbraith said her group donated $2,000 toward the effort.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Galbraith said. “I think everyone loves it. When I planted in years past, you always had people driving by saying, ‘thank you.’

“I think everyone always looks forward to it. It’s definitely a bridge spot for Sewickley in spring.”

Borough Manager Donna Kaib said the original plan was to have a group of volunteers plant May 14 and another group on May 15.

However, the first session went so efficiently that all planting was done on day one before 1 p.m.

“The borough truly appreciates all the wonderful people who donated their time,” Kaib said.