BANGOR — Volunteers got their hands dirty this weekend to beautify the city of Bangor.
As part of the annual Big Dig Weekend, community members and local organizations spent their Saturday morning mulching, raking, weeding and planting garden plots throughout the city.
“There’s the aesthetics of it — it’s really pretty, right? But I think also it kind of underscores that idea that a downtown is filled with public spaces,” said Betsy Lundy, executive director of the Downtown Bangor Partnership. “So, the public literally owns these places, and it really helps them feel that sense of community and ownership.”
The annual event helps kick-off the Downtown Bangor Partnership’s Adopt-A-Garden program, where community members choose one or more gardens to “adopt” — which they then take care of throughout the summer.
“I think for the community, everyone walks down here,” said Nathaniel Rockwell, senior operations manager of medical imaging and diagnostic services at St. Joseph Healthcare. “Having a nice space to walk and enjoy the environment here in downtown is critical for everyone here.”
Out of the 150 plots available this year, 125 have already been adopted. But organizers say it takes a village to keep Bangor beautiful.
“If you’re walking downtown and you see a thirsty garden, give it some water,” said Lundy. “Or if you see a weed, go ahead and pull it. It’s kind of that whole village working together to make downtown beautiful.”
There are still some plots up for grabs. For more information, head to downtownbangor.com.
“We all love downtown Bangor,” said BJ Garceau, who works in sterile processing St. Joseph’s Hospital as took part in Big Dig Weekend Saturday. “And Bangor, if anything, we want to draw more people here, and show the little shops, and the small businesses and the awesome food. And being in healthcare, we’re more than healthcare, we are a community.”