The Purple People Bridge
Greater Cincinnati Master Gardeners began their involvement with the Purple People Bridge (PPB) in 1998 when they learned of the plan to convert the old L&N Railroad (and automobile) Bridge to a pedestrian walkway linking the riverfront in Newport, KY to Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, OH. A partnership with the Newport/Southbank Bridge Trust was forged, and, in October 2002, after the bridge had been painted its distinctive purple (actually it says periwinkle blue on the can!), the GCMGA’s Purple People Bridge Team installed the ‘bones’ of the landscaping for the Plaza area at the southern entryway to the bridge. These first plantings included Yellowwood, Lacebark Elm, and Forest Pansy Redbud trees; Itea ‘Little Henry’, Fothergilla , Emerald Green Boxwood and barberry bushes, under-planted with various Hosta and liriope.
Pansies nodded in profusion on the plaza for the Bridge opening April 25, 2003. Then in June, following completion of the 280 ft. approach planter and placement of the first of some 59 planters on the bridge deck, the PPB also became the site for the first-ever hands-on project held at an International Master Gardener Conference. Some 60 Master Gardeners from all over the US spent a sunny June afternoon doing the first plantings of the approach planter and bridge containers. In October, purple and yellow and white chrysanthemums replaced summer annuals as the Bridge prepared to host visitors for the 2003 Tall Stacks celebration.
In 2004, the PPB Master Gardeners designed and installed a new commemorative garden in one corner of the Plaza entrance area. Funds donated by the Cors & Bassett law firm supplied both the horticultural material and a large bronze plaque mounted on a large boulder. The plaque tells the PPB story and commemorates the 75th anniversary of the law firm.
In 2005, 48 of the large planters on the Bridge deck were arranged in 16 groupings and the first Annual Purple People Bridge Container Planting Contest was announced. The contest continues with entries from community groups, businesses, garden clubs, and Master Gardener teams. Horticultural experts and community leaders act as judges each year, and awards are presented in September at the GCMGA monthly meeting.
It can’t be all fun and glory, however, and the Master Gardener team has learned a lot as their experience as grown. March and November are the ‘prepare’ and ‘clean up’ months for all the plantings. Then, after the new plantings go in, Master Gardeners are on the bridge every week to maintain the plants. Many times ‘maintenance’ really means picking out garbage and cigarette butts from the planters, or reporting graffiti on the containers. Over 50 Master Gardeners are ‘on call’ for the Purple People Bridge. The East Row Garden Club (Newport, KY); Campbell County Extension; along with landscaper and Master Gardener Maryan Hahn, have each adopted a section of the long approach planter as ‘perennial’ partners.
The Purple People Bridge Landscape Project was officially established as the Signature Project of the Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Association (GCMGA) in 2003. A span connecting the Ohio and Kentucky sides of the river and designed for pedestrian traffic is a fitting symbol for the connectivity which the GCMGA provides for all MG’s in the region, and all the other beautification and community building and education projects MG’s lead throughout the region (e.g. Baker Hunt gardens and W.O.R.M.S. program; Volunteers for Veggies; Liberty Hill Community Garden; Boone County Arboretum; Zoo trial gardens, etc.). Given the mission of Master Gardeners - to learn, teach and demonstrate the best, research-based horticultural knowledge - the PPB is a very appropriate showcase for local Master Gardeners’ knowledge and spirit of volunteer service to our community by beautifying a unique public space.
