Hanging Baskets Beautify Downtown PG
Robbie Richardson hangs basket at the corner of 5th Ave & George Street – photo 250 News
Prince George, B.C. – 50 hanging baskets have given a portion of George Street a more decorative look.
They were installed this morning as part of a pilot program launched by Downtown Prince George.
“The project idea came from (retired city councillor) Don Bassermann. He came into my office this time last year with a basket he had repurposed out of an artificial Christmas tree and it was his idea to hang them downtown,” says executive director Carla Johnston.
Don Bassermann prepares basket – photo 250 News
She says a call out for more trees brought in over 100 leading to the creation of the 50 baskets which were constructed by the Activator Society, an organization that helps men transition from incarceration into the community.
“This is a great project and a way to give back – doing work that helps beautify the downtown,” says Justin Foster with the Activator Society.
“I’m delighted because the original intent was to brighten up downtown with mostly recycled materials. It also ties in with the Canada Winter Games and it ties in with downtown beautification. And even better it ties in with the Activators Society,” says Bassermann.
The intent, says Johnston, is to hang them for four or five months during the winter which will make them last three, four, or even five years.
She says they’re also putting out the call for more trees in the hopes of possibly hanging the baskets in other areas downtown.
“I think Third Avenue would be our next target. Perhaps Quebec Street after that.”
Carla Johnston, executive director, Downtown Prince George – photo 250 News
Comments
Great idea. Kudo’s to Bassermann for the effort.
Now if someone could do something about that dismal Christmas Tree that they put up in front of the Courthouse we would be on our way. Hard to believe that a City in the middle of a forest could not come up with a half decent Christmas Tree.
In addition while they are changing out the tree, they might want to get rid of the huge pile of snow that they have piled on the NE corner of Third and George.
I notice that they left this pile of snow all year in years gone by. Why?? It looks messy to say the least.
Excellent idea and initiative Mr.Bassermann and Activators to help bring a Christmas feel to Downtown PG.
Regarding the Courthouse Tree …. it didn’t survive the minus thirty transport ….. maybe someone in the logging community can bring in another as this one is in desperate need of some branch transplants.
Awesome idea. Nice to see local residents (even if they are or were on council) have brilliant ideas to spruce up the downtown area. Now to get the negative people about the downtown to come and help with more ideas to make Price George downtown (and the rest of the city) a sparkle for northern BC and Canada.
I’m very happy to see this project take shape and the partnerships that it has created. Don Bassermann has always been one of the many champions behind the City’s beautification effort. Well done, sir!
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