Southern Hills Gardening Club wins concept approval for Port of Ashland planter project

Mary Beth Rees, representing the Southern Hills Gardening Club, asked the Ashland City Commission on May 14 to approve a multi-stage beautification project for the Port of Ashland planter that the club has maintained. "Stage one is install a permanent solar lit hardscape feature within the planter and incorporate blue star or other perennial ground cover," Rees said, noting the club has private donations sufficient to cover stage one and that stages two and three (resurfacing walkways, decorative wall) depend on additional private or grant funding.

Commissioners and staff discussed technical details including battery-backed solar lighting, curb and sidewalk resurfacing, and coordination with the park board and city departments to ensure specifications are met. City staff and commissioners emphasized that no city funds would be used for stage one and that staff would circulate final renderings to the park board for approval.

A motion to approve the concept subject to final design approval by the park board was made and seconded; the commission voted by voice to approve the concept. Commissioners urged the parks board to convene quickly so the club could meet planting-season timelines; the club said installation could be completed in about three weeks by the vendor they identified.

The approved concept allows private donations and Young Signs (fabricator) to proceed with stage-one preparations pending final departmental and park-board review. Staff will verify electrical and battery installation specifications and confirm no city outlays are required for the initial work.