Olean, Beautification Committee announces new median planting

The City of Olean and the Olean Beautification Committee announced new shrubs, bushes and flowering plants have been planted in the North Union Street median from Hamilton Street to Sullivan Street.

The new planting was funded through a grant from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation to the Beautification Committee’s Beautiful Olean Fund.

“Last summer the beautiful Tesselaar Roses that enhanced the median were diagnosed with Rose

Rosette Disease. Unfortunately there is no treatment and the recommendation to stop the spread was to remove the diseased roses,” said John Balacki, vice chairmen of the Beautification Committee. 

“It was also recommended that we refrain from replanting roses until 2026, so we went to work to find replacements,” he said.

Balacki, Laurie McCarthy and the late Kathy Marzec were appointed to redesign the median. 

The plants chosen include varieties of diervilla, hydrangea, holly, and weigela,” said Danielle Eaton, Beautification Committee chairman. “When established, this planting will provide four seasons of color and beauty. Plus, they left room to add roses next year, which will create a strikingly impressive median.”

She said, “The committee would like to thank the Olean Water Plant for facilitating storage of the plants and the City of Olean crew that installed them and are hydrating them during this heatwave. We are especially very grateful to the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation for providing the funding for this endeavor.”

“The Olean Beautification Committee dedicates numerous hours, in the boardroom and on their hands and knees in the gardens,” Mayor William J. Aiello said. “Every summer we get to enjoy the fruits of their labors and that of the group of volunteers they recruit to keep the gardens blooming.”

The mayor said, “The Committee is always looking for more volunteers. Please give my office a call if you would like to help out.”

He also thanked the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation for providing the committee with both funding and guidance.

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