Wayne County
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Posted 7/21/2004

Friends of Michigan State Fair
Beautification Project

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To help the Fair not only in 2004 but in years to come, Randy Odom of Forgotten Harvest, Tim Jenkins (the assistant Fairgrounds manager), and I are attempting to reduce the amount of annual plant material which is used, and to put into place as many perennials as possible -- specifically ones like hostas, which require little or no maintenance yet look elegant and dignify this centennial site.  (See pictures attached as an example.)

Things are progressing slowly -- but well -- as I work to install all of the perennial and annual plant material which I have donated; the 100 donated hostas and 14 flats of annuals which I was able to obtain from growers near me; the 100 donated hostas and daylilies which Randy was able to obtain from growers near him; and the deeply discounted plant material which Tim was able to purchase.

PAR master gardeners and trainees helped with the installation of the two circular beds; three master gardener trainees helped to break sod at three garden sites; one master gardener trainee helped install plant material by the women's and men's restrooms; and one master gardener trainee helped install plant material at the Dodge pavilion and on Woodward Avenue at State Fair street.  Their assistance was greatly appreciated!

New perennial plant material is now located in 26 of the 29 concrete planters at the Fairgrounds, as well as in most of the garden beds:

1) at the Michigan State Fair sign on Woodward Avenue;

2) at the new garden across the entryway from that sign on Woodward Avenue;

3) at the Michigan State Fair sign on Woodward Avenue and State Fair street;

4) in the triangular bed at the main entrance gate;

5) by the Michigan Mart Building;

6) by the Coliseum;

7) and 8) in the new gardens on either side of the Friends of Michigan State Fair Wall of Honor;

9) at the Michigan State Fair sign by the Administration Building;

10) and 11) in the new gardens on either side of the Administration Building entrance;

12) and 13) in the two 24 ft. circular beds by the Community Arts Building;

14) at the Community Arts Building;

15) by the Garland stove;

16) and 17) by the men's and women's restrooms; and

18) by the Winners' Circle. 

This fall Tim Jenkins and I are going to be creating new gardens at the corners of the fence to beautify the grounds of the 1849 Ulysses S. Grant House (to the east of the security booth at the south side of the Fairgrounds along State Fair street).  We're going to be gathering old-fashioned perennials which would have been in a typical garden at the time that the Grant House was built.  The house is an historic treasure, and needs some plantings to showcase it.

Thanks for your interest in our gardening efforts at the Michigan State Fairgrounds.  We hope they renew and revitalize these 160 acres for years to come.