Catch Chatham Fish Pier’s New Look

Stewart Smith, Chatham Harbormaster, sent a message to the Chatham Garden Club (CGC) asking if they would consider much needed improvement of the planting areas around the fish pier parking lot. The call was answered by CGC members Midge Nash and Barbara Cotnam. Midge and her husband John have two sons in the fishing industry and she thought it fitting to beautify the site. Barbara Cotnam, horticulturist and former landscape designer, volunteered to take on the project to honor the Chatham Fishing Fleet.

Garden Club volunteers completed the preparation of planting beds and installation of the designed landscape. New plants weigela, “Midnight Wine, ” and “Tango,” panicum “ North Wind,” hydrangea “Invincibelle Spirit,” and the daylilies “Penny’s Worth” and “Autumn Minaret” now provide a welcome sight.

Fishermen’s “totes” (containers used to haul catch off incoming boats) were painted dark green and filled with colorful annuals to further brighten up the garden. Two additional planting beds flanking the lower parking lot building entrance way were also beautified and planted with little blue stem and milk weed along with other drought tolerant plant selections.

These improvements to the fish pier by the Chatham Garden Club, in partnership with the town of Chatham, were a timely way to help Chatham celebrate its Tercentennial in 2012.
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