Flowers are in bloom and lining the sidewalks of Washington Avenue this summer.
They're planted in 30 pots -- along with Patty LaBarre and Kara Schumann's hopes of bringing some beauty to downtown Detroit Lakes.
"We want something inviting, unique and warm," LaBarre said.
LaBarre and Schumann - the "Downtown Alive" committee - collected donations from downtown businesses to pay for the pots and plants, which are located on the 800 and 900 blocks of Washington Avenue.
The business owners help water and care for the plants that are outside their shop or office.
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"The business owners were very good about donating money and watering," LaBarre said.
LaBarre and Schumann themselves are Washington Avenue business owners. Schumann owns La De Da Décor and Design, and LaBarre owns ERA Northland Realty with her husband.
The plants aren't only for Washington Avenue business owners, Schumann said. The flowers are for everyone to enjoy, and anyone can feel free to help with watering and deadheading.
"It's just kind of about community involvement," Schumann said.
LaBarre and Schumann have received a lot of positive feedback from the community about the plants. Both said they've had people approach them or stop by their businesses with compliments on the plants.
"People like it," LaBarre said, "especially on a sunny day."
The pots were purchased at Bergren's in Detroit Lakes, and then were brought to The Plant Connection in Callaway around March or April, where they were filled with flowers.
The plants were then placed on Washington Avenue May 25.
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LaBarre and Schumann thank the several volunteers who helped move the pots into place: Nathan Schumann, Derek Schumann, Martin Green, Laura Schumann, Dan Green, Jeff Masteller, Joe Schumann, Sue Endrodi and Jack LaBarre.
This is the second summer that LaBarre and Schumann organized to have flowers planted downtown. Last summer there were 15 pots on the ground, and two hanging pots per lamppost. However, the hanging pots proved to be too high maintenance, so LaBarre and Schumann decided not to have them this year.
This summer's 30 pots on the ground are filled with a variety of colorful annual flowers. Two of the pots also have small trees.
The Downtown Alive committee isn't affiliated with the city government.
"The city doesn't have the funds for beautification," Schumann said.
Brad Green, public works director of Detroit Lakes, cited city ordinances in saying that business owners are allowed to put things outside their shops between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as long a they're not obstructing public access.
LaBarre and Schumann would love to see other committees start similar projects in other parts of Detroit Lakes.
"We two as business owners can only manage these two blocks," Schumann said, "but there are creative people on every block."
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If other people started similar projects elsewhere in the city, "it could be just fabulous here," Schumann said.
LaBarre and Schumann are still in need of a few more donations to pay for this year's flowerpots. Anyone interested in donating can visit La De Da or ERA Northland Realty.
Next summer, the committee wants to try even more new beautification projects.
LaBarre said they've been considering the idea of tiled concrete benches, designed by local artists, with a lake or water theme.
The two are also working on ideas for the holiday season.
"We're just trying to add a little color downtown," Schumann said.
