The Franklin Downtown Partnership is developing the Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail to highlight Franklin's unique downtown sites. The trail will feature 25 sites tied together with ladybug sculptures, each having an informational sign. It began as a public art project in 2014 and the partnership took over coordinating outdoor sites in 2018. Their goal is to encourage foot traffic downtown and remind residents of Franklin's history, like how it became the state bug. They have partnered with local groups and have 12 business and 13 cultural and historical sites planned. Installations will continue through 2022 with an unveiling planned for Spring 2022.

1. Franklin Downtown Partnership
The Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail
The Ladybug Trail
April 2021

2. Vision and Mission
The Ladybug trail will invite residents and visitors to
enjoy all that Franklin center has to offer by
highlighting our unique downtown, cultural and
historical sites
The trail will be tied together by ladybug sculptures
that are displayed along the way
Encourage more people to walk downtown center

3. Project Concept
The Ladybug Trail will highlight Franklin’s unique
downtown, as well as cultural & historical sites in
the downtown district
An economic development project that focuses on
encouraging foot traffic downtown
• 25 proposed sites
• Each site will have an informational sign
• Digital map
• Audio

4. Project Background
2014
Ladybugs were created as a public art project by the Franklin
Cultural Council lead by Beth Simon and Claire Griffin
2018
FDP began to coordinate the outside sites downtown with
the owners of the ladybugs
2019
FDP conceived The Ladybug Trail concept and began to
discuss with business owners and community groups
2020-2021
The idea took off and a committee was formed to continue
to move the concept forward

5. History of the Ladybug
and Franklin
The ladybug is the official state bug
of MA because of a group of students
in Franklin!
• In 1974 a Kennedy School 2nd
grade class and teacher Palma
Johnson petitioned the bill and
witnessed it signed into law
• It is only fitting to have a Ladybug
trail that reminds residents and
visitors of Franklin’s unique history

6. Partners and Collaborators
• Franklin Downtown Partnership
• Downtown Business & Property Owners
• Franklin Cultural District Committee
Grant for a portion of ladybug installation
• Franklin Art Association
Artists involved in downtown murals
• Franklin Historical Commission
Assist in the research and writing of informational signs
• Franklin TV & Radio
Produce audio and provide narration

7. Ladybug Trail Committee
• Lisa Piana
• Beth Simon
• Roberta Trahan
• Pandora Carlucci
• Jane Curran
• Mel Hamblen
• Eileen Mason
• Mary Olsson

8. Proposed Sites
25 proposed locations throughout downtown
• 12 Business sites
• 6 Cultural sites
• 7 Historical sites

9. The
Ladybug
Trail Site
Map-
draft

10. 12 Proposed Business Sites
• Dean Bank-complete
• Teddy’s Alleyway-TBD
• Franklin Downtown Partnership-complete
• Simon’s Furniture-April
• Agway-May
• The Black Box-May
• Keefe Insurance-complete
• 5 Additional sites-waiting on final approvals

11. 6 Proposed Cultural Sites
Downtown Murals and Alleyways
• Kindness Rock Garden- Summer 2021
• Intermissions Alley-complete
• “Flower Alley”Murals-July 2021
• E. Central Pocket Park Mural-Fall 2021
• W. Central sitting area-TBD
• Hair Mania Plaza Mural-Spring 2022

12. 7 Proposed Historical Sites
• Dean College-June
Following locations in discussion:
• Town Common
• Library
• Ben Franklin Statue
• Horse Trough
• Historical Museum/Straw Hat Statue
• Horace Mann Statue

13. May 2021
6 Additional Ladybug installations
July 2021
“Flower Alley” mural installation
August-November 2021
Continue to work on details of the trail including
installations, signage, map and audio
Spring 2022
Trail Unveiling
1st Annual Spring Ladybug Parade
Timeline

14. Next Steps
• Getting approvals from property owners for ladybug
installations in May