Driving from Breckenridge to Park City today, we passed through the town of Vernal, Utah population 8300. The main street which was at least a mile long was brilliant with red, pink and white impatiens in baskets hanging from quaint lamp posts as well as stone containers along the sidewalks. It was very impressive and really made me want to know more about this town. I went to the Chamber of Commerce web site where I found pictures and the following information:

The Vernal Main Street flower planting project began with the Community Development Committee of the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce in 1986. Sidewalk planters were purchased by the Chamber and by local Main Street Businesses. The Chamber coordinated with a local nursery to provide a pre-selected assortment of flowers. The Chamber purchased the flowers, Chamber volunteers planted the flowers and the businesses that had the planters were invoiced and did watering and fertilizing of the plants.

Following the first year, Vernal City agreed to have their Public Works Department take care of the watering and fertilizing of the plants and continue to do so today.

Each year more businesses have become interested in having planters by their facilities. Vernal City is now the owner of the planters on Main Street and have placed them at regular intervals from 500 East to 500 West. Vernal City replaces those planters that are damaged and purchases all of the flowers for the planters. At last count there were almost 900 sidewalk planters on and around Main Street.

I think this is just wonderful and it certainly shows what a town with creative thinkers can do to keep small town America alive. Congratulations Vernal, Utah; driving down your main street gave me great pleasure!