A bird’s eye view of Lewes

While wandering through Lewes’ city parks recently, amateur photographer Sue Sandmeyer had an intriguing thought – “I wonder how this looks from above.”

Sandmeyer, the communications director for Lewes in Bloom, then worked with local drone pilot Eric Davison to make it happen.

“The results were just jaw-dropping,” she said. “The shapes and the surrounding areas and how the gardens play into that was just stunning to me.” 

The duo photographed all of the gardens and parks in the city where Lewes in Bloom volunteers log thousands of hours maintaining the beauty and vibrance. 

“I thought it was a great opportunity for Lewes in Bloom,” she said. “We can see how the gardens look, and we can make changes.” 

A bird’s eye view offers a unique perspective, she said. In the case of Mary Vessels Park on Market Street, she said, the aerial view showed an imbalance in the park’s plantings. Moving forward, she said, Lewes in Bloom will likely use the photo when looking to add flowers and other plantings to the park. 

Davison, a photographer and videographer by trade, said seeing the the photographs in a new context provided him with a new appreciation of Lewes’ parks.

Nancy Phillips, co-chair of Lewes in Bloom, said the organizations' activities in the parks and gardens are supported by city donations, business sponsors and fundraising activities. 

Lewes in Bloom members volunteered more than 5,000 hours last year, with many members spending hours in their designated park each week.

“They take ownership of that area,” said Fred Phillips, Nancy’s husband and Lewes in Bloom member. “They’re there one to two days a week weeding, picking up butts, possibly replacing plants.”

To learn more about Lewes in Bloom or to donate, go to www.lewesinbloom.org.