Auburn, Ala. - Members of the Auburn Beautification Council (ABC) and City of Auburn (COA) staff held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, March 12 to officially kick off the 2013 Auburn Floral Trail. The trail is a self-guided tour of spring blooms through over 14 miles of commercial and residential areas in Auburn. This year's trail, co-sponsored by the ABC and the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, is going on now and will continue through Sunday, April 21. Signs indicating trail paths line a variety of routes outlined in the Auburn Floral Trail brochure, available at City facilities, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, Auburn Chamber of Commerce, and online at www.auburnalabama.org and www.aotourism.com.

The Auburn Beautification Council is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to enhancing the beautification of Auburn. Current projects include the downtown hanging baskets and plantings, Auburn Floral Trail, gardens at Kiesel Park, the Welcome to Auburn signs, and beautification awards presented to Auburn homes and businesses.

Pictured above are members of the ABC and COA staff at the Welcome to Auburn sign on South College Street. Those pictured include:

Back Row (L - R): ABC members Maury Matthews and Alice Crittenden

Front Row (L - R): ABC member Mary Lou Matthews, Right of Way Coordinator Mike Marshall (COA), ABC member Robert Crittenden, Assistant Environmental Services Director Catrina Cook (COA), Parks and Recreation Director Becky Richardson (COA), ABC member Peggy McDonald, and Environmental Services Director Tim Woody (COA)

For more information on the 2013 Auburn Floral Trail, including a map of the routes, visit www.auburnalabama.org.