Spirit of Green Infuses Flower Show

Early in March each year, a quarter-million garden lovers from all over the world marvel at the thousands of blossoms that coalesce into a floral wonderland called the Philadelphia Flower Show — the nation’s largest and most prestigious indoor floral exhibit. And AFSCME is in the glorious middle of it.

But this show isn’t just about flowers. Full-scale landscapes and lush gardens materialize overnight, constructed by administrators and arborists, carpenters and computer technicians, equipment operators and electricians, drivers and designers. Then come the horticulturists, groundskeepers and stonemasons. Although the public seldom sees them, they are all integral to the show’s success.

"A lot of planning and hard work go into this," says Kenny Brown, a horticulturist with the city park department for 29 years and a member of Local 222 (DC 33). "Visitors only see the beauty of the flowers. They don’t know what we do to make them bloom."

Apart from the plants, therefore, the collaboration and craftsmanship of competitive professionals and skilled workers are the elements that transform 10 acres of the cavernous Pennsylvania Convention Center — site of AFSCME’s 2000 Convention — into a vibrant space — not only for seeing and smelling but also for inspiration and learning.

As they have done over the years, AFSCME members are very much involved in this event, particularly its educational component. Philadelphia Zoo workers (Local 752, DC 47) built a fully landscaped garden to depict a conservation theme. Their exhibit won first prize in the non-profit display category of this year’s "Best in Show Awards" — their sixth such honor since their maiden appearance in 1983. Led by Local Pres. Umar Mycka and Project Director Rod Haines, the nine-man and one-woman crew of arborists and gardeners put together a naturalistic exhibit highlighting different aspects of conservation, nature observation and recreation. "We are encouraging the young people of Philly to understand their natural surroundings and give them tools so they can learn more about the benefits of conservation," Mycka explains.

Employees from Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park (Local 222, DC 33) also participated by recreating a full-scale garden setting to teach the public about its restoration project. Their exhibit was designed "to show the damage being done to our parks," according to Steve Okula, grounds crew supervisor.

For six days leading up to the opening date, these workers hauled in 40 tons of stones, 1,000 cinder blocks, 10 bags of cement, and close to 1,000 cubic yards of sawdust, mulch and sand. After building retaining walls to stabilize the soil, they then brought in over 2,000 plants of different shapes and sizes, from 3-foot zinnias to 30-foot pine trees.

Each year, throughout the eight-day show, maintenance crews water the plants and prune dead leaves and branches. After the show closes, these plants are returned to greenhouses. "We wait for spring to come, then replant them outside," says Charmaine Lutz, the only female horticulturist at the zoo.

Rich Durso, a construction foreman for the parks and a union man for 23 years, is proud of what his crew of stonemasons and cement finishers is able to contribute to this endeavor. "This is much more than a show about flowers," he says. "It’s about what the park represents and the workmanship that employees in the park can do to improve the quality of life in our community."

— Jon Melegrito