To the Editor:

There has been much discussion of the traffic circle in recent months. The Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club would like to review the background of the traffic circle.

In 1987, a then member of the club asked the State of Connecticut for permission to design and install a garden in the center of the traffic circle (which is state land, not town land) Up until that time there was nothing but grass in the circle. The State granted permission and the garden as everyone knew it was created. For 20 years, the Evergreen Garden Club has been responsible for the maintenance and additionsto the traffic circle garden. (e.g., mulching, pruning, mowing, dead plant replacement, etc.)

Several years ago, when a DOT project to redo the traffic circle was announced, the Evergreen Garden Club contacted the State, to inquire as to the future of our garden, and was put in touch with the DOT project manager. Unfortunately, the construction plans called for the use of the entire center of the circle necessitating the destruction of the garden, and the original plan for the circle had no landscaping either in the circle or on the four corners and approaches.The project manager was very receptive to our concerns and input and took it upon himself to approach the State for funding to reestablish the garden. Thanks to our long history of gardening in the circle and the calming effect that plantings provide to traffic flow, the State agreed to his request.

A DOT landscape designer was called in to design the new garden, and a contractor was hired to perform the work. We were allowed time to remove any plant materials we wished to salvage from our old garden (October of 2007). We were also shown the design for the new garden and allowed some input to the design. The plan in fact turned out to be much more extensive than the circle garden alone, as the State was also going to plant the corners and approaches.

The construction was completed and last fall the plantings were installed. The State spent substantial funds doing the basic plantings. It takes years to establish an aesthetically pleasing garden of that size. Remember -- the old garden was 20 years old. The original plan as done by the DOT’s designer is just the beginning of what the garden will become. The contract that the State has with the landscaper includes a section for replacement of failed plantings. We have been in contact with the project manager as recently as late August and have been told that a substantial number of plants are to be replaced as soon as the weather permits. At the same time the contractor will take care of weed removal, dead branch pruning and fertilizing. After the contract has been satisfied the State will notify the garden club that we may again have access to the circle.

During the construction process, we have not been allowed access into the circle. Once the final inspection takes place, the State will notify us of the completion of the contract with the landscaping company. Only at that time will the care of the circle revert back to the garden club. We are expecting to hear from the State at some point this fall or early spring .

We must remember that without the State’s funding there would be nothing in the circle. A garden is a work in progress –some plants do well and others don’t. For example, the birch tree that was the centerpiece of the garden from the beginning had to be taken down because it was dying from an infestation of beetles.

The Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club is a group of gardeners of all levels who meet monthly the second Tuesday of the month. As many of you know we have our annual plant sale every May to raise money for a scholarship that we award annually to a Killingworth resident. We also maintain three gardens in town – the Town Hall, the Black Rock School House and the Traffic Circle as well as the window boxes at the trooper’s house. We hold a free public meeting every March with a speaker on an aspect of gardening. We are looking for new members and it seems that there is a lot of interest in making our town beautiful . If you are interested in joining us or, if your schedule does not permit joining our group on a regular basis, perhaps you would like to volunteer time or plant materials when it comes time to get to work on the Circle. Anyone who would like to help should contact Christine Cronin 663-4217.

Christine Cronin
President Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club