Bloom Seton Village - Update & Next Steps
The newly formed Bloom Seton Village had an inaugural meeting on Sunday, September 18, 2022 on the front lawn of the Vincent Monella Community Center at 133 Fairview. The meeting included a brief overview of what Bloom Seton Village can and should be for the community. The meeting concluded with individual “walk abouts” to gather observations and suggestions for the many streets, public green spaces, and potential beautification “improvement zones” within and adjacent to the district.
What is Bloom Seton Village?
Bloom Seton Village is a new “Green up/Clean up” initiative for Seton Village and surrounding neighborhoods. Residents and area businesses are invited to join the group to contribute to a thriving, beautiful and environmentally engaged community. The idea for Bloom Seton Village came from local resident Olivia Lewis-Chang, who was inspired by Bloom California which explores the many ways in which native plantings can benefit the natural local habit.
Some of the activities the group anticipates engaging in include 1) creative Green landscape design, 2) community gardening and native planting, 3) quarterly clean up efforts, 4) creative solutions for water run off and rain capture as well as and forward-thinking interventions for areas impacted by flooding or drought, 5) ongoing educational programming and partnerships for resource sharing and best practices, and 6) the launch of a Community Shed which will serve as a “tool library” accessible to the public.
What will Bloom Seton Village focus on in the coming year?
Fall 2022 tulip and daffodil plantings throughout the district including on Ward Place and Irvington Avenue, at Carter Park, the West Fairview parking lot and pocket park, and in the two Fairview Avenue islands located between South Orange Avenue and Irvington Avenue.
Installation and beginning inventory for the Community Shed at Vincent Monella Community Center (133 Fairview Avenue)
New contracted weekly clean-up and sidewalk maintenance with contracted vendor
Installation of flower boxes and additional plantings in Carter Park
Exploring rain capture/rain gardens
Planning out community garden at Vincent Monella Community Center (133 Fairview)
Creation of a multi-year long-range plan for planting trees and flowers and targeting beautification zones in and around district
How can I get involved?
Please email nppcoordinator@southorange.org to be added to mailing list for Bloom Seton Village volunteers. We will be reporting out on the last meetings “Walk abouts” as well as working to plant bulbs in the coming weeks.
