Upper Arlington gardeners weren’t the only ones whose thoughts turned to spring during last week’s warm weather. City horticulturist Lisa Metcalf has been planning several new projects to brighten up the city in coming months.

Most of that work involves planning improvements to city ‘bright spots,’ along with expanding current green spots and designing new areas, Metcalf said.

“We use the term ‘bright spots’ to talk about areas where we use annual plants that are extremely colorful, that bloom all summer,” she said. “Anything that provides plenty of color from the spring all the way through the fall, such as petunias and salvia.”

Metcalf said this spring, residents will see a new bright spot at Kenny and Tremont roads, sponsored by the local neighborhood.

“That will look similar to what we have at Tremont and Canterbury, and I’d expect we’ll have all of our usual spots, one at Oxford Drive and Lear Road, as well as a bright spot that serves as a community gateway at Henderson and Riverside Drive.”

With more than 120,000 square feet of dedicated garden space in Upper Arlington, regular maintenance and funding is always a concern, Metcalf said. To make sure the city’s garden spaces are maintained, the parks and recreation division has been working on a number of new policies over the winter, she said.

“We want to make sure we can maintain all of our gardens at the highest standard of quality,” she said. “We are putting a new policy in place — that we’re not going to put any new gardens in place that aren’t sponsored. If there’s no long-term maintenance plan and funding program, it won’t be installed. Part of this plan involves partnerships with community organizations.”

Parks and rec is currently partnering with the Upper Arlington Community Foundation, and a horticulture committee is being formed to raise funding for new installations in the city, Metcalf said.

“We’re really thrilled with this opportunity with the UA Community Foundation,” she said. “One example of what will come from that partnership is an exciting new garden at Tremont and Kenny, which right now is a triangular shaped traffic island at that stoplight. Right now we’re in the development and fundraising stages, but there will be some exciting changes there.”

Green-thumbed residents with ideas for making Arlington a brighter place to live are always welcome to come forward with ideas, Metcalf said.

“Anyone from individuals, to entire neighborhood associations and businesses, we’re looking for anyone who would like to partner with us,” she said. “We’re at a point with our new policy process that we’d like to be able to put a price tag on our developments, so that we can be more specific and plan for long-term use.”

Residents and community groups interested in sponsoring bright spots or donating funds for maintenance can reach out to the UA Community Foundation at 614-451-0700, Metcalf said. Residents with ideas for new bright spots in the community, or thoughts on improving existing areas, can call her at 614-583-5347.