Sandwich — Rich Lonstein’s Traffic Island is bursting with color — bright red, yellow and pale pink flowers weave through the lush native vegetation that lines each junction.
Gardening enthusiast Lonstein spent hours burrowing onto Adoption Island across from the Post Office in East Sandwich. He said he hopes that early in the spring he will work on planting annuals and the native plants will continue into the fall.
“I get over 100 compliments a day,” said Lonstein, manager of the town’s annual Traffic Island beautification program.
Launched in 2005, the program is under the Parks Department of the town of Sandwich. The Parks Service is also responsible for maintaining town grounds, flowerbeds, cemeteries, and visible public areas, and works with local businesses to maintain the island.
About 28 traffic islands have been adopted by companies such as BJ’s Lawncare and Landscaping, Cafè Chew and Sandwich Women’s Club. Participation in the program is free, but business owners are required to decorate their islands with flowers, shrubs and greenery.
Lonstein also provides each business with a double-sided 12-inch sign in blue and white. Display your message or company name.
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last month, He matched three islands to his business. Currently, there are still islands available for adoption. Ronstein plans to post available lots every Thursday on his Sandwich News Facebook page in the coming months.
The island offers business opportunities
For Lonstein, the program has a positive effect on Sandwich Road aesthetics and provides sponsorship exposure.
He said the islands help local businesses advertise in a positive way, although businesses must maintain plots throughout the seasons. Ronstein, a real estate agent for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Sandwich, said his island often attracts the attention of potential clients.
“These islands make everyone in the neighborhood feel good,” he said. “It also makes good business sense.”
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For 15 years the islands have been blooming
Lonstein has been managing the beautification program since July, but it was originally run by Keith Maguire, who lived in Sandwich for 45 years when he moved to Bourne.
Maguire started the program because he was concerned about island conditions after the State Department of Transportation (formerly the State Highway Authority) built Route 6A along Route 6A in the 1990s.
“We used to have a daffodil program and we had just planted 10,000 daffodils, but they were ruined and we never replaced them,” she said. “Cement and a lot of ugliness were left behind.”
The program began with 14 traffic islands at the time, and Maguire, along with Sandwich resident Deborah Whitman, secured funding for the island signs with the help of the Sandwich Town Visitor Services Board. Because the board receives a 2% tax on all bed and breakfast establishments and hotels, the board spends his 20% of those funds on beautification, he said. said. Each year, the program receives grants for approximately six news signs.
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There are issues with the maintenance of the island
“Over the years, Maguire said he had to ‘stand above the people’ to maintain the island.
“You can’t let it suck while you’re waiting for someone to take over,” she said.
That is why before Lonstein took over the program, he realized that there were quite a few neglected and abandoned islands, and began beautifying them himself.His mother was an accomplished gardener and Ronstein First and foremost, he said, he had “a shovel and a pitchfork” in his hand.
“I’ve always had gardening in my blood,” he said. I hope you know what.”
Another issue is watering the island. The town used to send water trucks to each island, but the practice has been discontinued.
Despite the issues, Maguire said he has received a lot of positive feedback about Traffic Island and enjoys bringing happiness to community members and Sandwich visitors.
Lonstein agreed.
“These islands inspire everyone.”
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