Urban gardeners -- Mark Mattmiller (left to right), Jan Shipley and Mel Shipley water some of the more than 180 hanging flower baskets the Design Committee of Eureka Springs recently installed throughout downtown. Photo submitted

  The Design Committee of Eureka Springs recently elevated "hanging out" downtown to an art form.

  This spring, the committee's volunteers purchased and installed more than 180 colorful, hanging flower baskets above storefronts throughout downtown.

  The seed for the project was planted when Eureka Springs residents Jan and Mel Shipley were impressed by the beauty of similar baskets during a visit to Victoria, British Columbia.

  Upon their return to the Ozarks, the Shipley's transplanted the urban beautification concept at a meeting of the Design Committee. The committee is chaired by Mark Mattmiller and staffed by Barbara Chambers, Alvin Byrd and the Shipleys.

  The committee solicited bids from two, local nurseries for the baskets and decided to offer them to merchants at half-price with the balance to be paid for by donations from concerned citizens, banks, clubs and local businesses. Although they originally planned to install 100 baskets, the project's popularity grew like a weed to almost double that early estimate.

  Woody and Jane Acord, of Acord's Home Center, donated chain and hooks to suspend the plantings and the Eureka Springs Rotary Club funded the purchase of a pump and battery to water the plants, a task which is being performed by Mattmiller and Tony Halter. The actual installation of the plantings was accomplished by the Shipleys, Mattmiller and volunteer Christopher Fischer.

  "The committee thanks the businesses which participated in this season's efforts, and we look for this project to flourish in the coming years and produce an abundance of beauty," Mel Shipley said. He added that the committee is eyeing other projects. They include the planting of trees in parking areas and making recycling receptacles available for use by tourists.

  Jan Shipley expressed the committee's thanks to those who helped make the project a reality. They include: Community First Bank; Arvest Bank; Crescent Hotel; Acord's Home Center; Eureka Springs Rotary Club; Kay and Gary Dandy; Mud Street Cafe; Pryor Properties; Eureka Plumbing and Electric; J.T. and Laura Lee Wilcox; Thurman and Bishop Attorneys; Iris at the Basin Park; Stewart Title; Carroll County Abstract; Tom and Judy Place; Rick and Iris Feutz; Mountain Country Properties; Kerusso; Christopher Fischer; Mark Mattmiller; Tony Halter; Silly Chile; and Mel and Jan Shipley.

  The committee is currently soliciting donations to cover the project's initial purchase and installtion costs and the ongoing expenses of gasoline for the watering truck, replacement plants and maintenance materials.

  Contributions may made in care of Glenna Booth, City Hall, 44 Main St., Eureka Springs, AR 72632.

  For details, call the Shipleys at 253-5469.