Volunteer gardener has dug in for a decade to beautify Picton Main

Arlene Wright at one of the downtown Picton planters she maintains. – Picton BIA photo

Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson presented a bouquet of kind words, and a Civic Award, to Arlene Wright at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Wright was being honoured for her volunteer efforts over a decade to adopt nine municipal and non-municipal gardens, the downtown planters, and the creation and hanging of evergreen boughs throughout Picton Main during the Christmas season.

Kevin Gale, former Sophiasburgh councillor, nominated Wright for the award, and told council he didn’t know the last time he drove down Main Street “and Arlene isn’t up to her armpits, literally, in soil – making the town of Picton a much more beautiful place.

Arlene Wright received the Civic Recognition Award from Mayor Steve Ferguson at council Tuesday night.

“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” Gale said. “And I don’t think there’s any truer words spoken in Prince Edward County than that. This community has saved millions of dollars in taxes and received services, programs, activities – the hard work on the backs of those strong hearts and Arlene happens to be one of those strong hearts.”

Wright thanked Gale and council and noted that while the recognition was appreciated, her efforts over the last 10 years were not geared toward receiving  accolades.

“Yes, I have a passion for gardening. As a life-long resident I also have deep pride in my community. I don’t want to feel embarrassed by the visual image our streetscape presents to residents and visitors alike.”

She noted it was former Picton BIA executive director Lyndsay Richmond who saw her passion and asked her to join the group as streetscape chair in 2015. Since, she has also filled the role of secretary for six years.

Prior to joining she said she had adopted nine garden areas along Main Street within the town limits (sign near the Beer Store to the Washburn parkette) “which were badly neglected and had become eyesores.”

Over the past 10 years, Wright notes she has logged hundreds of hours and spent thousands of dollars of her own money on the maintenance of these gardens.

“Often, as I was working, I would see the late Owen Jones diligently scraping up sediment and removing litter and debris from the street and sidewalk areas.

“He saw a need and responded,” Wright recalled. “I called him my silent partner. I am proud that his memorial bench sits in front of our office building (Williamson Insurance) on Main Street. His absence is clearly obvious.”

She likens herself to Jones, as a “gap filler” and not a long-term solution to a significant need in the town and noted that as she nears “the end of my shelf life” regarding the scope of her volunteer gardening she hopes to see a viable plan in place to continue the beautification, possibly monitored by the BIA before she retires.

“Such an initiative will give me a great sense of satisfaction, accomplishment and be a fitting legacy to my 10-year tenure. I’m not done yet, but my real true goal is before I do leave, I would like to see a comprehensive plan in place.”

Arlene Wright preparing evergreen boughs to decorate several areas along Picton Main Street.