Meadows in bloom: Sunflowers create bright spot in Dixon

DIXON - Two acres of sunflowers have created a pop of brightness in the Meadows.

Community members can find them just past the dog park at 1605 Washington Ave., and they’ll be in bloom for about 2 weeks.

The bow hunt program approached the Dixon Park District about pursuing a Walmart grant to grow the sunflowers, and the district received $10,000 for seed, marketing and a viewing platform.

The idea came from the largely successful crop of sunflowers planted on 120 acres on Polo Road in Sterling by farmer Norm Koster. The visual feast drew hundreds of people snapping pictures and taking in a pleasant view as a reprieve from the pandemic.

Koster and Jacob Landis helped develop the Dixon crop, and the district doesn’t plan to harvest the seeds.

“People really like the simple things, especially with the pandemic,” said Duane Long, executive director of the district.