Projects Over The Years
For over a decade, Streetscapes has been working with the Village of Ludlow, local contractors, residents and second homeowners, other community organizations and volunteers in projects to beautify our Village.
Read more about Ludlow Streetscapes over the years below.
Revitalizing Our Millscape
We’ve always got something going to help keep Ludlow beautiful. One of the first steps in our 2023 efforts: Help revitalize our Millscape on Main Street with a much-needed prune of the six Honey Locust trees in front of the Mill.
The Daniel Kesman Memorial Park Project
This popular park for community members and visitors occupies the corner of Main and Depot Streets. Over the years, plantings have been renewed and maintained, but the pavement had become quite damaged.
In 2010, with the generous support of the Ludlow Enterprise Fund, as well as funds raised in the 2009 Hoedown, Streetscapes made a special effort to correct the drainage problems that had damaged the original pavement, and laid the cobblestone paver surface we see today.
The newly repaved park was formally rededicated to Daniel Kesman, a long time Ludlow resident who was honored for his service to the community when the park was originally dedicated in 1988.
The New England Deck and Patio company carried out the work. They also donated the material and labor for the extra walkway decoration that enhances the cobbled paver surface.
The MillScape Has Been Completed!
Four free-standing lamp posts matching the ones at the two bridges were installed on Main Street in front of The Mill. Underground wiring of the lamp posts and seasonal decorative mini-lights on the lamp posts now enhance this section of Main Street, completing The MillScape.
The white lights on the luminaries continue the “Brighten up Ludlow” theme year round. The posts also have arms to display summer and winter hanging baskets that match those on the bridges.
As we dedicate this project to Richard and Patricia Nye, we also acknowledge the ongoing support of the Ludlow municipal government, local businesses, Ludlow residents, second homeowners, anonymous donors, and friends for this and all our beautification projects. With their help, we have been able to continue our efforts to fulfill our mission.
A special thanks is also due to all the Ludlow Garden Club members who help us plant and maintain the summer flowers in the village!
Village Beautification Continues
Proceeds from the 2007 Hoedown helped to fund our 2008 projects.
The eight lights and posts that were installed on the Walker and Vail Bridges are now beautifully adorned with 16 hanging baskets, which hold summer flowers and winter decorations.
The MillScape
The old asphalt sidewalks in front of The Mill were replaced with new cobblestone pavers, and permeable pavers were installed around our existing honey locust trees. The sidewalks were constructed to include underground wiring ready to provide electricity to the four new lamp posts that match the bridge lamp posts, to be installed next year.
Ludlow Streetscapes dedicated this project to Richard and Patricia Nye, who have been stalwart supporters of our efforts to make Ludlow a more attractive place to live, work and play. Their efforts and dedication on behalf of the community led to the founding of our organization. They donated the six honey locust trees, and the cast iron guards that have protected them, in front of The Mill. This planting in 2001 was one of our first projects.
Welcome to Ludlow!
Solar panel lighting on the “Welcome to Ludlow” signs on Route 103 and Route 100 now makes the signs, so beautifully painted by Troy Adams, more visible to visitors.
A special thanks to all the Ludlow Garden Club Members for helping us plant and maintain the summer flowers in the Village!
“Brighten Up Ludlow” News
The yellow light bulbs that once occupied the streetlights along Route 103 into Ludlow have been replaced by white light bulbs for a brighter look. Sixty-five new metal halide street light fixtures with bulbs and photo eyes were purchased and installed.
Ten new lamp posts with “Aurora” luminaries were installed on the bridges at both ends of Main Street: four on the Walker bridge, over the Black River by the Veterans Memorial Park; and four on the Vail bridge over the Jewel Brook at the intersection of Main Street and Route 100 South. Two lamp posts were installed on Andover Street — one at the entrance of Dorsey Park and one at the entrance to the footbridge between Andover Street and Lamere Square.
The Elm Street ParkScape
The new green area at the intersection of Main and Elm streets now has a cobblestone paver patio, which was made possible by the generous contribution of materials and labor from New England Deck and Patio. They pulled off the remarkable feat of completing it in under three days!
We thank George Tucker for donating the sand for the foundation of the pavers and Jerry Tucker and Craig Goodman for the use of the electricity from their building. We also thank Mel Fink for the use of his parking lot, and for offering to provide electricity for the construction, and water for the plants we installed in planters on and around the patio.
Coupled with the bench and planters Streetscapes installed earlier this summer, this patio has provided a nice place to stop and watch the world go by.
New Planters, Benches, Bike Racks and Trash Receptacles
Four new wrought iron planters were installed in the windows and around the front door of Town Hall. We added new benches to the Daniel Kesman Memorial Park and the Veterans Memorial park, providing more places for people to rest as they walk around the village.
“Welcome to Ludlow” Signs
Troy Adams repainted the Welcome signs on Route 103 and Route 100 for us. Next year we hope to add solar lighting to these signs.
“Brighten Up Ludlow” Continues
Ludlow Streetscapes continued their efforts to improve the visibility and safety of the streets in the downtown area.
White lights with the 38 newly-acquired “Aurora” luminaries that replaced the existing yellow lights on Main Street, Depot Street and High Street. This greatly improves the visibility and safety for pedestrians as well as motorists.
Enhancements to Welcome to Ludlow Sign
A new stone work planter was installed at the base of the 103 North “Welcome to Ludlow” sign. Summer flowers will be planted here to complement those in the bridge planters.
“Brighten Up Ludlow” – New Lights on Main Street
Plans for new street lighting will be funded by the proceeds of the Llamas of Lludlow Auction in October 2004.
“Aurora” luminaries, designed by King Luminaire in Jefferson, Ohio, and spun concrete lamp posts made by the StressCrete Group in Ontario, Canada, were the styles selected for the project. The “Dark Sky Friendly” guidelines and recommendations outlined on the Outdoor Lighting Manual for Vermont Municipalities and the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group informed our selection of these styles.
This lighting has the following characteristics:
– Safety: meets all codes and ordinances for pedestrians and motorists
– Glare: minimizes glare
– Uplight: all light is directed downwards, no light trespass
– Design: selected as the best choice by most members and friends of Streetscapes, as well as other local residents
– Cost and Maintenance: best quote received, easy to maintain
– Power usage: uses as few assemblies as is practicable
The new lighting will enhance visibility for cars and pedestrians, and “Brighten Up” the downtown area!
Our thanks to Frank Heald and Howard Barton Sr., as well as King Luminaire, through Mark Forant from Spec-Lines, for their advice and help in developing the plan.
Makeover of the Daniel Kesman Memorial Park
This downtown park, located at the corners of Main and Depot Streets, received a comprehensive upgrade! The planters were refaced, and new plantings incorporated. This project was financed with proceeds from Laugh Out Loud, the Vermont Properties-sponsored fundraiser held at Okemo Mountain on February, 2004.
Special thanks to Fritz Sears, Kevin Kuntz and Peter Crowley for their contributions of expertise and equipment and to the many volunteers from Streetscapes, Ludlow Garden Club, UVM Extension Master Gardeners, local residents and the Town Highway Department for their time, energy and support.
Thanks to a grant from the Ludlow Enterprise Fund, five trash receptacles, four benches and two bike racks of solid metal and steel construction were purchased and installed throughout the village.
Tree Planting Challenge
Ludlow propery owner Mike Skinner challenged us to plant more trees in the Village. He donated one tree for every three trees we planted (up to 4 trees).
Fourteen more trees were planted throughout the Village of Ludlow. The planting was done with the help of Greg McKirryher, Gretchen Macklin and Glen Woods of GM Tree Tech and Landscaping. We also had the help and support of the Town of Ludlow – especially the backhoe operated by Bill Davis – and the assistance of members and friends of Streetsapes.
Enhancing the Kesman Memorial Park
The downtown park at the corner of Main and Depot Streets needed new annual and perennial plantings as well as trimming of shrubs and evergreens. Volunteers from the Garden Club and Streetscapes helped put this effort together.
Veterans Memorial Park
Thanks in part to a grant from the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program, which was matched with town funds, two red maple trees and three flowering crab apple trees were planted on June 21 with the help and support of Steve and Gretchen Macklin of Seamack Trees in Ludlow, of Keith Arlund, Town Manager, and many Ludlow Streetscapes members.
New Planters for Town Hall
Thanks to the help of Bill Tucker, a local carpenter, we had two flower boxes and step planters made of cedar created for the front of Town Hall. Thanks also to Patty Hunt for planting these four boxes.
