It’s spring, and thanks to the Essex Foundation, certain areas of Essex are bursting with the vibrant hues of yellow daffodil blooms.

“It’s great to be a part of the explosion of the daffodils in town,” said Reverend Ken Peterkin of the First Congregational Church (FCC) in Essex.

Although Methodist Hill in Essex Village is well known for its clusters of daffodils, the addition of 5,000 bulbs planted there last November means an extraordinary show of color this spring.

“I’m really happy that we have that splash again,” said Peterkin. “It’s just fun to see it out there and just the massive display is a great thing.”

The bulbs and lawn services for planting on Methodist Hill were the result of a grant submitted to the Essex Foundation by the FCC. The monies for the grant are from a bequest left by Elizabeth “Diz” Callender, The Paul Foundation, Centerbrook Properties, and individual donors.

The 20,000 daffodils across from the Essex Fire Station, on Route 154, and the 15,000 daffodils on West Avenue at Sunset Pond are also the results of support from these individuals and organizations.

The Route 9 gateway beautification project, of which the planting of daffodils plays a major part, “was a primary wish of one of our largest benefactors, Diz Callendar,” said Essex Selectman Bruce Glowac, who is also president of the Essex Foundation.

Callender was a longtime resident of Essex, contributing to various town organizations as a volunteer after retiring from the Connecticut Light and Power company, according to her obituary. She was instrumental in planning Clean Up Days in town, and as a member of the Safety Committee helped weed the traffic island at Middlesex Turnpike and Plains Road.

She also helped restore an eight-acre parcel of land that she gave as a gift to the Essex Land Trust in 1998, known as the Osage Trails. Now, seven years after her death, the daffodils are a reminder of her many contributions to Essex.

Aron Schumacher, chief of the Essex Fire Department, says the daffodils across from the fire station are a popular spot for residents and visitors.

“We see people there all the time,” said Schumacher. “People love it. Every time I’m at the fire house there are two or three cars pulled over taking a picture, or just looking and enjoying the site.”

In addition to the gateway beautification project, the Essex Foundation makes various contributions to support groups and organizations in Essex every year.

A recent example is a $10,000 grant to the Essex Fire Department, announced in early April. The grant helped fund a portion of the costs associated with the purchase of 12 automated external defibrillator (AED) and two Lucas chest compression systems to help the department respond to individuals suffering heart attacks and other cardiac events.

“The support from the Essex Foundation was huge,” said Schumacher. “The $10,000 was a big chunk toward finishing off this goal that we were working for on this replacement project. They were kind of the last donor and they really helped us get across the finish line.”

To learn more about the Essex Foundation, visit www.theessexfoundation.org.