DAY TRIP: Bridge of Flowers

SHELBURNE FALLS – If someone doubts that one person’s idea can change an entire town forever, a trip to Shelburne Falls and the breathtaking Bridge of Flowers is in order.

Located a little more than an hour from the Pittsfield area, this little village’s offerings are bound to make a lasting impression.

The Bridge of Flowers is one of them and it really is an attraction that’s quite spectacular. How could walking along a bridge lined on both sides with literally hundreds upon hundreds of flowers be anything else?

 Fragrance Personified on the Bridge

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Just about every color, shape and size of flower imaginable is there and as one walks along the bridge, the air is perfumed with intoxicating fragrances that can make you swoon.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Brilliant orange tiger lilies, delicate pink and yellow roses, shimmering blue hydrangea, snazzy gladiolas, perky phlox, fragrant stargazer lilies, and hundreds of other flowers, including some that are unique and unfamiliar can all be found.

The bridge has been there a long, long time but there were not always flowers along both sides.

 

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]The Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway originally built the structure in 1908 as a trolley bridge, according to the bridge’s website, to help “deliver heavy freight from the Shelburne Falls railyard to the mills on the 7 1/2-mile line along Route 112 North to Colrain, as well as passengers and local goods, such as milk, apples and cotton.”

Sadly, the railroad went bust in 1927 and within a couple of years, the trolley bridge was unused, covered with weeds and becoming an eyesore.

 Flower Bridge Began with an Idea

That’s when the idea of one woman, Antoinette Burnham, a town resident, made a huge difference. According to the Bridge of Flower’s website, she had the idea to plant flowers along both sides of the bridge. Her husband thought it was a great idea and together, they proposed the floral bridge to the community. The  Shelburne Falls Women’s Club took on the project and the flower bridge became a reality in 1929.

 

Throughout all the decades since the transformation from trolley bridge to floral spectacular attraction, there has been strong community support. Dozens of businesses, individuals, organizations and several towns have banded together to write grants and raise funds for restoration and continuation of the Bridge of Flowers for the enjoyment of natives as well as tourists.

Maintained by Volunteers

Today, the bridge continues to be maintained by scores of volunteers. By the looks of things, they are doing a top notch job.

[media-credit id=3 align=”aligncenter” width=”300″][/media-credit]As people walk along the bridge, many snap photos by the dozens. Views of the Deerfield River below and the blue sky above add to the ambiance of the Bridge of Flowers.

 

There are little galleries, restaurants and shops in the downtown that can add to a full day of exploration.

It makes for a day trip that will not be soon forgotten.

 

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]Free but Donations Welcomed

There are no entrance fees to walk along the bridge but one can put well deserved donations in a specially marked box that has an iron bird on the side. It’s located on one end of  the bridge.

The Bridge of Flowers is open through the end of October.