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DOWNTOWN’S NOT-SO-SECRET GARDENS
Something Fairbanks does really right in general, and downtown does right in particular, is plant and grow and care for the most wonderful flowers. Even though our round the clock growing season is short it still takes on an epic feel that at times can seem surreal. 90 pound cabbages are common, the record pumpkin at the 2010 Tanana Valley State fair, weighing in at 424, seemed like it was about to grow wheels and turn into a carriage (just like in the famous fairy tale), and during our super sunshiny summers some of the vibrant garden spots downtown go from the earthly to the simply divine.
This year the Downtown Association’s and the Fairbanks Community Museum’s, shared, not-so-secret garden has taken a beautiful turn. Under the experienced, kind hands of 37 year Fairbanks resident Gabrielle Stevens, in conjunction with Master Gardener (and self proclaimed dirt man), Frank Dutton, our little corner of the downtown has never looked better. Sitka Roses, Peonies (both pink and white), violets, lilacs and ferns grace our perennial garden spot. While colorful annuals fill our gold rush era yard art- which includes a dredge bucket, sluice box and barrel holder of sorts. Tilling the soil, planting, watering, dead-heading and keeping the pigeons and invasive plants at bay were all part of the summer growing season for Gabrielle and Jeff. We thank you so much for making us look so good- You have truly done a marvelous job!
The gorgeous purple, red and yellow flowers adorning our light posts as well as the flora at the Golden Heart Plaza, City Hall, the Police and Fire Stations, on the Cushman Street Bridge and along the Chena Riverwalk are a testament to the exceptional work of our sister non- profit association Festival Fairbanks, a name that is virtually synonymous with flowers. Our downtown is both unified and enhanced by the Festival Fairbanks attractive and ubiquitous flowers. Festival Fairbanks sets the stage for the downtown by carefully choosing the yearly color scheme. The scoop on the 2011 flower scheme is… Hot Pink, Bright Yellow and Blue, wow what a dazzling trio!
If there was a Greek goddess of flowers she would certainly be the wellspring of The Bridgewater Hotel’s glorious hanging pots. Lovely flowers and green vines literally flow out of the pots and create a breathtaking display. The charming hotel is famous for its superlative flowers, and it really is worth the trip downtown just to view these sumptuous, over the top beauties.
The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center’s wonderful garden featuring turn of the century vegetables, spectacular sunflowers, and a wide variety of Alaskan flowers is something to behold. Visitors and locals alike photograph themselves next to the sunflowers which have now surpassed 8 feet. The Stone Soup Café sees the garden as more than just an aesthetic marvel- as the vegetables grown provide serious sustenance for our towns less fortunate. Jason Faris, Facility Manager, has been harvesting and delivering two boxes of fresh vegetables weekly to the café. What a beautiful way to do a good deed.
One takes on the topic of flowers downtown with great hesitancy, as the amount of attractive and noteworthy gardens are far too many to list. If Only…a fine store, Bahn Thai, Ken Murray’s Insurance, newcomer Brice Inc., the Co-Op, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Parks and Recreation and many more –truly make downtown Fairbanks surprisingly beautiful.
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