The Downtown Issaquah Association recently launched its annual Flowers on Front Street campaign which aims to bring hanging flower baskets to the city’s historical downtown district.
The campaign is exclusively funded by donations from the community which go toward the purchase and maintenance of the flower baskets from May to October. Additionally, the flowers are grown locally at the Squak Mt. Nursery.
“Everyone loves these stunning flower baskets, and what they do for the downtown Issaquah landscape,” said Gaila Gutierrez of the Downtown Issaquah Association. “The baskets are made possible through donations from the public and businesses throughout Issaquah. Without this generous support, the baskets cannot happen.”
The campaign aims to purchase 50 baskets for the downtown streetscape and will even include a Mother’s Day Card for certain contributions.
“They’re quite large, quite colorful and I’ve often seen people walking around, pointing at them and taking pictures with them, noticing how many there are along the road,” Gutierrez said. “It makes downtown kind of pop and brings in that summer atmosphere… It makes people feel really good and especially if you’re sitting outside.”
According to Gutierrez, the Issaquah community has been positive toward the Flowers on Front Street for the six years she’s seen the campaign within the city. Throughout the years, the Downtown Issaquah Association has made changes to the flower’s maintenance to cut costs and water consumption.
Gutierrez said simply reducing watering frequency during colder months helped save about 5,000 gallons of water each year.
The campaign runs from mid-February to May 1 every year, but the May 1 cutoff is only for the Mother’s Day portion. The Downtown Issaquah Association will always accept donations for the Flowers on Front Street.
A $250 donation covers the purchase cost and five-month maintenance of one flower basket. Additionally, the donation earns recognition on the Downtown Issaquah Association Community Board, and a Mother’s Day card stating the donation was made in their honor.
Locals can also donate $10 or more to the campaign — $50 earns a Mother’s Day card.
“Every bit counts to help make this happen, so I like people to know that they don’t have to spend a ton of money and every little bit helps go towards the purchase of these,” Gutierrez said. “Without their generous help, it would be difficult to pull this off.”
Locals can learn how to participate in the campaign on the Downtown Issaquah Association website, downtownissaquah.com.
“Many community members like to participate in (this), but there are also a lot of people in the community who don’t realize how these baskets come about,” Gutierrez said. “A lot of people think it’s just the city (but) donations are the only way we get these up.”
