The City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation Department will soon begin transplanting flowers, weather depending. As in previous years, hanging baskets, flower barrels, beds, and planters will be seen throughout the community. New this season: flowers in more city parks.

With Juneau’s altered tourist season, a number of flowers normally lining the Seawalk will be redistributed to parks like Savikko, Twin Lakes, and Auke Lake Wayside. The goal of the program is to beautify the community and support the vitality of Juneau’s downtown business district. In this time of uncertainty and stress for many businesses, families, and individuals, flowers improve emotional well-being, reduce stress, and inspire creativity.

The flowers seen around Juneau began as 16,000 seedlings at CBJ’s Dimond Park greenhouse in February. Many of the plants are flowering by late April, and are gradually moved outside to acclimatize them, or “harden them off.” The flowers are planted once the nighttime temperatures are consistently in the 40s. The staff who plant and tend the flowers also maintain the grounds at community parks, city facilities, and cemeteries.

The Parks & Recreation Department’s flower program is largely funded by private donations and cruise ship passenger fees. For more information about the flowers or to donate, contact Parks & Recreation at [email protected] or (907) 586-5226.