A Warmer Welcome to Thompson: Upgraded Landscaping and Strategic Signage

First impressions matter.

That’s the unofficial motto behind the new signage and landscaping at the main entranceways into the Town of Thompson. These important upgrades are part of the Grow the Gateways Strategic Plan, adopted by the Town and Village of Monticello in 2017 with the assistance of the Sullivan County Planning Department.

Grow the Gateways aims to improve the local business climate through a series of improvements. From simplified zoning codes to tackling blighted areas, the plan is to attract development projects, add jobs, and bring renewed vibrancy to the Town and Village.

The recent landscaping and signage improvements make a strong visual statement, one that is at the heart of Grow the Gateways: This is a community that cares. This is a Town that takes pride in its appearance. This is a place that’s welcoming and easy to navigate as a business, resident, or visitor.

Let’s take a closer look at exactly how the landscaping and signage make a positive first impression…

It All Starts When You Enter Thompson Via the NY 17W Exit 105 Interchange

First, you’re greeted at Exit 105 by a sign welcoming you to the Sullivan Catskills – and Thompson in particular. The sign is surrounded by thoughtful plantings that thrive year-round.

Next, you’ll come to an intersection – the start of the Route 42 business corridor. There at the corner of the Mobil gas station is a bright blue, hand-carved welcome sign set within a monument of stones. Another lush landscape encircles this stately sign. If you enter Thompson via another road, you’ll see one of the other 10 newly designed welcome signs currently being installed.

Keep driving along Route 42 and you’ll notice colorful vertical banners emblazoned with the Town’s new logo on utility poles. The logo is part of a rebranding project, also recommended in the Grow the Gateways plan. A new website and Facebook page are included in the rebranding, so what you see on the Town banners is mirrored online.

After arriving at your destination, you’ve now had at least a few positive interactions with the Town’s brand. You know exactly where you are, and you might have formed an impression about the kind of people who are involved with the Town…people like Glenn Somers, Town of Thompson Parks & Recreation Superintendent:

“As I drive to work at the Town Hall every morning, I am greeted by our new and improved Exit 105 interchange and the Route 42 intersection. It’s a great way to start my day, and a reminder of how we can make things happen by working together in our Town. I’m truly proud of where I live and work.”

Organizations Collaborate to Turn Visions Into Reality

Glenn is just one of dozens of individuals who came together from different organizations to upgrade the Town’s “gateways.”

For example, to reinvigorate the Exit 105 interchange, the Town worked closely with Sullivan County, New York State, and Sullivan Renaissance.

The collaboration began when Sullivan County approached the Town about taking official ownership of the Exit 105 area. The previous sponsor of the County’s Adopt-an-Exit program had stopped maintaining the area, yet the Town was actively mowing and litter plucking the site for New York State. The Town agreed to adopt the exit, and set out to make a plan for reinvigorating the landscape.

To create that plan, the Town turned to Sullivan Renaissance and its resident horticulturist Diana Weiner, “the guru of plants and beautification,” as Glenn refers to her.

Support From Sullivan Renaissance: the Local Gurus in Gardening

“When working with us on the plan for both the Exit 105 interchange and the welcome sign area in front of the Mobil station, Sullivan Renaissance and Diana really thought of everything,” explained Jamie Ferriero, who works alongside Glenn at Town of Thompson Parks & Recreation.

That meant selecting plants and flowers that would repel – not attract – deer and other wildlife, due to the close proximity to high vehicle traffic. Trees and shrubs were chosen so they wouldn’t grow too high and block the welcome signs.

Other considerations included plants that were hardy and perennial (meaning they would grow back each year). Bright yellow coreopsis flowers and vibrant purple sage took center stage in the plan.

Seasonality was a priority, too. The welcome areas needed to look their best all year round. So trees and plants were chosen that flourished in more than one or two seasons. For example, exotic grasses are emerald green in spring and summer, and then turn red as winter approaches.

Above all, Sullivan Renaissance and the Town of Thompson aimed to create a landscape that was as beautiful as it was functional.

Once the plan was approved by NYSDOT, it was up to the Town staff to bring the landscape design to life. And that’s exactly what Glenn and Jamie did, starting in the spring of 2019.

Constant Care From the Ground Up

Once the ground thawed in April 2019, Glenn, Jamie, and their team began clearing the area where the new Exit 105 sign would be placed. Trees and brush were cut down. The planting beds were prepared and top soil was brought in.

The blank canvas was ready.

Then, in June 2019, the planting began according to the design created by Sullivan Renaissance.

The Exit 105 “garden” is truly thriving thanks to the oversight and management of the Town of Thompson team. In the summer, Jamie spends a few hours a day caring for the area: watering, weeding, and cleaning up any litter.

The landscape at the Mobil station is also flourishing as it enters its fourth year. The stunning welcome sign monument – designed by Dorene Warner of W Design and handcrafted by Nicole Camacho of Fine Hand Signs – was installed this past summer. The Town received funding from Sullivan County Signs grant program to cover a portion of the expense for the new sign.

“How these welcome areas look is a direct reflection on our Town. I want people driving by to say, ‘wow that looks so nice, clean, and welcoming.’ I want them to have a good feeling about Thompson,” said Jamie.

A Model for All Exits in Sullivan County

So far, the feedback on both the updated Route 42 intersection and the Exit 105 interchange has been overwhelmingly positive.

In fact, the Town hopes the Exit 105 “makeover” will serve as a model for other exit revitalization efforts.
“We’re really proud of how beautiful the exit looks. As the plants and shrubs grow and fill out, the area around the sign will only look even more established and lush. Jamie and I look forward to caring for this valuable asset with our crew at the Town of Thompson,” concluded Glenn.

Join in the Beautification of Thompson

Inspired by the Town’s efforts at Exit 105? Consider adopting a road in the Town of Thompson. Get the details here: Adopt A Road – Town of Thompson, Sullivan County, NY