Planting Pride, Transforming Communities with AIB
Planting Pride, Transforming Communities with AIB
By Kristin Pategas
America in Bloom’s collaborative national awards program has
helped hundreds of communities realize their potential in becoming thriving places of work,
play and living. Ironton, Ohio is just one of the many towns that have embraced
America in Bloom principles and ideas to generate programs that provide the
motivation and energy to plant pride in their community.
Ironton is a community that has
experienced many economic setbacks throughout its history, from the 1970s with
the closing of numerous industries due to the implementation of environmental
standards, the exodus of jobs overseas, low employment. and finally the city’s
fall into bankruptcy in 1982. Ironton, though, was true to its name and stood
strong through these obstacles and used the promise of flowers to hearten its
residents and create a symbol of rebirth. From its initial Downtown Clean-Up Days
and spring plantings, Ironton discovered a path to raise spirits and rally
support.
Kudos goes to sister America in Bloom
community Gallipolis, OH for sharing with Ironton the guiding
This transformation not only benefits
businesses and home owners, but encourages Ironton to present its best to
visitors, investors, potential residents, and new businesses. Ironton has a
number of future projects in the furnace: the Riverfront Park, a gateway for
the new bridge over the Ohio River and the Iron Furnace Trail.
Ironton in Bloom (IIB) knew in order for their dreams of a
transformed community to come true, they needed to develop programs that
guaranteed success, from design to funding, implementation, and on-going
maintenance. Too often such beautification projects in the past failed due to
lack of funds and maintenance strategies. Today, nine years after its
inception, IIB has an annual $50,000 budget for their floral displays supported
by the city, local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals. Members of
IIB continue to work with the city to improve and expand Ironton's design
standards to include floral and landscape requirements. They have also developed
the OPT Program: Opportunity, Partnership and Teamwork, that recognizes sponsor
donations and continued monetary support.
Much of the remaining open space within Ironton remains under
environmental mitigation, but as these brownfields are cleaned, IIB, along with
the city and other re-development agencies, have channeled revitalization
efforts toward projects that benefit the community. Gateway Centre includes the
city's first hotel, a family restaurant, and space for a future brewery.
Landscape enhancements include shade trees, floral displays, lighting, seating,
bike racks, and an interpretive display on the history of Ironton and the Ohio
River.
To create additional public spaces, in 2010 an America in Bloom
judge recommended the creation of "pocket parks," transforming vacant
residential lots into green spaces. Today, a number of these green respites
have become important neighborhood centers, community gardens, and connection
hubs for healthy walking and biking trails.Ironton has embraced its heritage by designating three residential
historic districts and restoring two historic sites for reuse: the Ro-Na
Theater and the Veterans Memorial Hall. Historic home owners and churches
annually open for tours and the Lawrence County History Museum provides docents
in period costume and character. 
Ironton in Bloom has developed an Annual Inventory Program where
volunteers walk the city's streets each spring assessing cleanliness and
maintenance needs including litter, weeds, sign maintenance, storm drain
blockage, and sidewalk repairs. These reports are passed on to the respective
city departments to address as time and budget allow during the fiscal year.
Ironton is proof of the benefits of
implementing America in Bloom’s framework for improvements.
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