The City of Hilliard has grown its first sunflower field with a goal of creating a beautiful environment that will honor and raise money for international refugees.
Visit the blooming sunflower field on Scioto Darby Road, west of Municipal Park, through Sept. 18.
Cut-your-own (don’t forget scissors), wander through a sunflower trail, or take photos using the backdrop. In return, visitors are asked to consider donating to the non-profit agency US Together.
With the help of residents, the City planted a 4-and-a-half acre field of sunflowers in May. The project was created to bring awareness about and raise funds to support international refugees from all countries.
“We wanted to provide a serene environment to honor refugees that would also bring joy and happiness to the Hilliard community,” said City of Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department Deputy Director Erin Duffee.
Donations can be made at the Community Center and the Senior Center (3800 Veterans Memorial Drive) weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (credit cards or checks) or by donating directly on WebTrac’s “Planting Seeds of Love” donors page (credit cards only). A QR code to donate can also be found on a sign at the field.
In addition to serving as the City of Hilliard’s official flower, sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, making them the perfect fit for this initiative.
City of Hilliard Forester Andy Beare took the lead on planting the sunflowers.
“Once the growing season is complete, we plan to let birds eat the sunflowers for about 10 days and then plow the field to make compost,” Beare said.
Guests are encouraged to help spread the word by checking in at the field or tagging the City in photos on social media.
The sunflower field is open now through Sept. 18. Visitors should park across the street at Latham Park (4125 Cosgray Road) or in the lot near the west entrance of Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park (3800 Veterans Memorial Drive). Please cross Scioto Darby Road safely at a crosswalk.
“This was our first attempt at being sunflower farmers. The flowers aren’t as tall as we envisioned, but we learned a lot through this process,” Duffee said. “Everybody is welcome to come and enjoy them.”
