The drive down Tanner Street is a little more colorful these days, as nearly 5,000 tulips are in blooms, dotting the sidewalk near the Haddonfield Public Library.
A group of volunteers helped plant the bulbs several weeks ago — and the flowers are in full bloom.
The red, yellow, pink and white flowers also line in front of the Archer and Greiner parking lot.
The “Tulips on Tanner” project — initiated by the Haddonfield Rotary Club — was designed to beautify the downtown Haddonfield area along Tanner Street, and to attract visitors and additional businesses to the area.
The 5,000 bulbs, supplied by the Haddonfield Tulip Company, were planted in early fall with support and funding from The Rotary Club of Haddonfield, The Haddonfield Foundation and owners of 56 Haddon Ave. The flowers are located along the brick wall of the parking lot behind 56 Haddon Avenue.
Jim Cuifolo, who owns Haddonfield Tulip Company, planted the tulips and helped direct the volunteers on the proper method of planting the bulbs.
Mayor Tish Colombi thanked Cuifolo and said the borough commissioners would look at other high-visibility areas in town to spruce up with the colorful flowers. She and Township Administrator Sharon McCullough were weeding the tulip beds about two weeks ago as well.
“We intend to try to get some other visible locations in town to be planted for next year. Perhaps this will lead to some kind of tulip festival event for next year. We are working on putting this together now,” Colombi wrote in an email when asked for comment on the flowers.
Colombi also reported several trees would be planted along the street in the coming months, as well.
Decorative lanterns are currently being installed along Tanner Street also, she said, and a grand “reopening” ceremony will be held along the street in the next few weeks.
The details of the reopening ceremony aren’t known yet, but it will be a celebration for the construction of Tanner Street being completed last year and Tanner Street once again being open to business in the coming spring. The commissioners and borough administrator have been planning the ceremony since the construction was completed.
Stay turned for a date and more information on the reopening ceremony.
