Jennifer Beck of Wilton has a dream – to see the hillside next to the Town Hall a riot of color in the springtime.
“I’ve had that dream for 30 years. I’m 70. I can’t wait any longer,” Beck said.
Beck, a member of the town’s Conservation Commission, decided to make a donation of 4,000 daffodil and narcissus bulbs to plant on the slope next to the Wilton Town Hall, the lead-in to the town’s Main Street. The bulbs were planted by Beck and volunteers during a two-day volunteer effort on Friday and Saturday, continuing a planting project that had been begun four years ago by the town’s Main Street Association.
“Every time I look at that hillside, I think it should be riotously colorful. That every year, springtime should be an event that brings people to Wilton to see it,” Beck said, while planting bulbs on Friday.
She said the plantings that have been put in over the past few years have been popular with shopkeepers and residents alike.
“Why not feed that energy?” Beck asked.
Brad Volz of Wilton, a neighbor of Beck’s and owner of Dragonfly Farm in Wilton, said Beck asked him to help plant the bulbs, and he jumped on the opportunity.
“She’s always doing worthwhile things. This is an opportunity to make the town and community a little better, so why not?” Volz said.
Husband and wife Kori and Bill Ryan of Wilton said they saw the sign asking for volunteers and felt compelled to join in. Kori Ryan said she, too, shares Beck’s vision of a wave of colorful flowers in the springtime dotting the hillside.
“I love the thought of driving past and seeing a burst of color,” Kori Ryan said. “I love that Jennifer was inspired and that we can help realize that vision. I love this town. How can youo not love living in a town that inspires that kind of thinking?”
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.