Dave Riddle, co-founder of the Bridge of Flowers, located on the south side of the Logan Street Bridge in downtown Noblesville, says the beautiful area has been a big hit since it was established.
“The Bridge of Flowers began when the co-founder, Sylvia Gordon, got the inspiration for the bridge from a Bridge of Flowers she saw in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts,” Riddle says. “She then came back and compiled a committee. The committee researched a partnership with the city and county as a beautification project for the City of Noblesville. The Logan Street Bridge has a perfect place with it overlooking the White River.”
Riddle says the Bridge of Flowers was established as an urban park on a 20-foot-wide space of the Logan Street Bridge. The other Bridge of Flowers co-founders are Dick Gordon and Peg Adams.
“The city and county used funds to split the cost of constructing benches, pergolas, and raised flower beds equipped with irrigation,” he says.
The Bridge of Flowers also fits within the beautification projects in downtown Noblesville.
“It’s all approved by city council and county commissioners,” Riddle says. “The Bridge of Flowers had the city/county pay for the planters and irrigation as well as pots and pergolas. Funding for planting each of the four seasons is dependent upon donations by businesses and individuals, in order to have the funding to purchase and plant flowers each of the seasons of the year to keep it beautiful.”
Adams, the flower chairwoman, is responsible for selecting the flowers and plants.
“A permanent donor wall has been constructed with money raised to recognize those businesses and individuals at one end of the bridge,” Riddle says. “These donors are displayed for three to five years so hundreds of people can see who helped fund this beautification project.
The Bridge of Flowers has become a popular tourist destination.
“We have had many positive comments that have arisen from residents, and you can often see prom and wedding photographers using it as a backdrop,” Riddle says.
Heather Culea of Indianapolis says she has used the Bridge of Flowers for many of her family photos.
“I just absolutely love it,” Culea says. “The amount of care that has gone into this project has been great. A lot of time and care went into making it look so beautiful.”
Riddle notes that the Bridge of Flowers sponsors have been key to the project’s success. He says the organizers are always looking for more great donors.
“We, the founders and committee members, would like to ask for additional monetary support, and help us spread the word and refer any other individuals or businesses that you think would like to receive this recognition,” he says. “We have a 501(c)(3) certification with the IRS to assist in tax deductibility.”
One of the permanent structures is a donor wall recognizing different levels. Degrees of giving are as follows: Platinum, $25,000; Diamond, $10,000 to $5,000; Gold, $4,999 to $1,000; Silver, $999 to $500; Bronze, $499 to $300. The wall has room for additional plaques.
Riddle says in addition to donors, there are as many as 12 volunteers that help with the planting and weeding.
For additional details, go to noblesvillebridgeofflowers.com.
