City crews have been out spreading some color around the city last week.
The city was planting about 3,500 day lily bulbs in areas in an effort to cut down on some of their maintenance.

"It's something new this year," said John Scanlon, director of parks and recreation. "A lot of the areas we mow are sloped hills such as the railroad overpass on North Main."

The flowers would eliminate the need for mowing these areas, as well as add some color.

In addition to North Main, there are more along 12th Street, at the library, at the city pool and at the cemeteries.

Scanlon feels they will see a long-term benefit from this.

They also plan on using irises, crown vetch, wild flowers and other ground covers in different applications. 

This fall they will start planting different short growing grasses along rights of ways that they manage, so they only have to mow once or twice a year. 

"We are also looking at different varieties of grasses for our athletic fields that need less maintenance and look better, wear better, recover faster and green up earlier," said Herb Llewellyn, city manager.