Community News

     Ever wonder where all those hanging flower baskets and banners around town are from?

     Who takes the time to put all these up? Who finances these beautiful baskets and banners we see across town? Project Bloom is the answer.

     The chair of the program is Randy Zeigler, who partners with The Oswego Chamber of Commerce to begin this process of what Ziegler likes to call, "The beautification of Oswego."

     Project Bloom has been around for 22 years. Zeigler works alongside a committee of about 12 people from Ameriprise Financial Services as well as other sponsors and volunteers who help out as well.

     "Right now, there are 55 hanging baskets, 22 downtown planters and five large gardens in parks throughout the city," Zeigler said. "There are also 38 banners with the names of business sponsors that hang from East First Street all the way to Bridge and Utica St. The city gives us about $3,000 to work with and from there we have our sponsors and volunteers who help out. The Chamber (Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce) is a big help, too, and has been extremely faithful for 22 years."

     According to Zeigler, there are about 45 basket sponsors, various planter sponsors like the Rotary Club and five park sponsors all together. The rest are made up of volunteers and other local businesses that each designate their time to taking care of the plants and gardens across town. The Oswego Department of Public Works takes care of all the watering that goes into the hanging plants.

     During the end of April, the committee and volunteers team up to help clean up the park, according to Zeigler. During the beginning of each spring, the team begins with the parks and then ends with planting downtown. The clean-up process usually takes about three weeks and then the planting process takes about the same, stated Zeigler.

     "We receive a lot of help from the downtown businesses as well as the general community as a whole. Everyone's willing to help out the further the process of beautifying the city of Oswego," Zeigler said.

     For more on how to help along Project Bloom or any sponsorship interest, contact Randy Zeigler at 343-3781.