ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority is looking for volunteers to help get Downtown Alpena ready for the summer season at its Downtown Flower Planting and Clean-Up Day from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday. Those interested in helping should meet in Culligan Plaza.

This is the third year the DDA has organized a planting day to get downtown spruced up for the busy summer months. Volunteers are needed to help plant flowers around the tree bases throughout the downtown district and pull weeds. All flowers have been donated by over 65 individuals, organizations, and businesses that have contributed to the downtown flower fund this year.

This year, the flowers that will be planted are primarily native perennials, including black-eyed susan, purple coneflower, hairy beardtongue, and wild bergamot. The DDA and City of Alpena have worked with Huron Pines to identify which native perennials are best suited for the urban environment and provide season-long color and interest.

“We are grateful for Huron Pines and the Otsego Conservation District native plant nursery for helping us transition our flowers downtown to native perennials,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry. “These plants celebrate the native flora found in our area and are beneficial to pollinators as well.”

In addition to the tree boxes, native plants will also be planted in a new garden bed that the City Department of Public Works created in the alleyway between 2nd and 3rd Avenues downtown. The DDA is also leading fundraising efforts to fill that bed with flowers, shrubs, and flowering trees. Donors can contribute $50 toward the flowers and shrubs, or $100 toward the tree fund. Those interested in sponsoring a tree in memory or honor of someone can reach out to the DDA Office at 989-356-6422 or email anneg@alpena.mi.us.

Volunteers that want to help plant flowers should meet in Culligan Plaza this Saturday. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own small trowels and garden gloves.