Volunteers' Plans for Downtown Include Perennial Garden

A group of volunteers will come before the Caldwell Council Tuesday to request permission to plant a garden in the town Green.

The perennial garden, designed by Caldwell resident and licensed Landscape Architect Sigrid Morgan, is one of many projects planned for Project Main Street’s Caldwell Beautification Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 18.

The garden spans the three planting beds on the front side of the Green —borough property at the intersection of Bloomfield and Roseland avenues.

It would “add beauty and interest for three seasons,” according to Christy Berg, president of Project Main Street, a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to enhancing the borough’s downtown.

While Project Main Street would pay for the plants, Berg said, volunteer landscapers Rick Ventola and James Haas, and landscape architect Sigrid Morgan, would supervise the planting by community volunteers on May 18. 

In addition to asking for permission, Project Main Street will ask the borough to agree to water and maintain the garden.

Additional Caldwell Beautification Day Projects 

—Beautiful Storefront Contest: Caldwell businesses will be invited to join in the festivities by sprucing up their storefronts and window displays. Project Main Street will be setting up a text to vote system and inviting community members to stroll downtown to see the beautiful displays and vote on their favorites. 

—Empty Store Window Painting: Local school art programs will be invited to paint spring murals on the windows of empty storefronts in town. 

—Clean Up Bloomfield Ave: Spruce up the avenue for spring and in time for our Memorial Day parade. Clean up crew will work along the entire avenue, from Forte to Willing Hearts.

—Tree mulching: Borough offered to supply mulch to volunteers who will weed, clean up, and mulch the 80-plus tree beds along Bloomfield Avenue.

—American Flags: Unfortunately, flags were damaged in the hurricane and, since they were purchased with donations raised, Project Main Street is unable to replace them unless insurance claim is honored (pending).  

—Hanging Baskets: 24 baskets of red dragon wing begonias have been planted and are growing in greenhouses to hang on Caldwell Beautification Day. 

—Pizza Party on The Common! All volunteers are invited to join a post event celebration on The Common next to the Caldwell Public Library. 

Volunteer, Donate and Save the Date

Those wishing to volunteer for Caldwell Beautification Day can contact ProjectMainSt@gmail.com or call Christy Berg at 973-600-9607.  

Tax-deductible donations can be made to Project Main Street payable to the Caldwell Downtown Alliance and mailed to 14 Forest Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006

A Casino Night fundraiser is being planned for June 13 at Caldwell Flowerland.