Volunteers in the Adopt-A­ Garden program say that a need to beautify the city led them to take part.

Though he is a first-year volunteer in the program, Frederick W. Serra isn't new to gardening. For the past three years, the insurance salesman has planted beautiful floral arrangements around an antique wagon outside his office.

This year, Serra, along with Hansen Landscaping, has extended his floral touch across the road to a long triangular green that divides Huntington and Church streets.

Serra said he landscaped the green for the same reason that he landscapes the property outside his business - because it promotes a good business image.

"This creates a welcoming feeling for the Huntington Center," Serra said.

Serra Insurance adopted this island in Huntington Center.

Business presentation also led Marks of Design owner Kate Marks to take part in the program. Flowers burst from stone vases at the door of her downtown business along with flower boxes under the windows and trees running along the Howe Avenue sidewalk.

Marks said she started the gar­dens because she loves to grow things and also to inspire customers to stop and look at her jewelry.

"When the front of a business looks good, people want to come in and check it out," Marks said.

Marks of Design help beautify their downtown corner.

Though the garden is far from his business, Huntington Hardware owner Robert Lally said his company's parcel at the corner of Buddington Road and Huntington Street brings plenty of attention.

Lally started the garden with part-time employee Claire Jelenik at the start of the program to give back to the community.

Huntington Hardware sponsors this display at Buddington Road.

The busy intersection makes weeding and planting somewhat challenging, but Lally said it also invites a kind word from travelers.

"So many people stop while we are out there and thank us for having the garden," Lally said. "It is very gratifying."

A "Hometown History" column in the Herald led Barbara Lang and her children, Taylor and Addie Dyrek, to volunteer for the Adopt-a­ Garden program.

After reading about the Boy with the Fish Statue at Riverview Park, Lang and her children decided to go and see the historic site. Not only was the statue in disrepair, but the fountain base also was over­flowing with weeds.

"We started pulling out the weeds, and then my son suggested that we should plant flowers," Lang said.

The garden became the family's tradition and a way to celebrate a part of the city's history, Lang said.

To take part in the Adopt-a­ Garden program, call Marilynn Gannon at Shelton City Hall at (203) 924-1555 ext.370.