When the Tulips on Troost (TOT) Project was first suggested in 2004, there was understandable skepticism about whether something as simple as planting tulips in forgotten patches along a sometimes-neglected street would catch the community’s imagination, let alone make a difference. Four years, and a mere two years of blooming seasons later, and there is no doubt that Tulips on Troost is accomplishing its goal – forcing all of us to rethink our concept of Troost Avenue.
All garden analogies apply when considering what’s currently happening with the project (think “grow,” “blossom,” “cultivate” and you get the idea). First, TOT has applied for assistance from AmeriCorp, and is hoping to have a volunteer staff person in place by year’s end. The position will help with marketing and grant writing, among other tasks, and will be a key step toward making TOT a sustainable, independent project.
On October 4, 2008, UMKC will be partnering with Tulips on Troost to plant 75,000 bulbs as part of the university’s 75th Anniversary Year celebration. During Homecoming Weekend 2008, UMKC staff, alumni, faculty, staff and friends will work to toward TOT’s goal of planting 1 million tulips by 2010.
If this weren’t ambitious enough, TOT is also now promoting the planting of black-eyed susans along Troost. Black-eyed Susans are a native Missouri plant and bloom throughout the summer, long after the tulips have faded.