STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS BY NICK HARMAN

Remember that lonely palm tree that took root in the middle of Ketchum’s new roundabout this past week?

It has grown into a much bigger affair with more palm trees, lawn chairs, tiki torches and even a firepit.

The neighborhood even celebrated its presence with a block party this past weekend.

“The gofundme I started to beautify the roundabout has raised $700 so far, and I was able to buy the palms, sand, chairs, firepit and tiki torch. Everything,” said Harman. “We had 35 people stop by the other night for music and drinks. And people are stopping by and giving me $50 and $100 to keep it all going with more fun.”

At that rate, probably every neighborhood in the valley will want their own roundabout.

The roundabout at the bottom of West Sixth Street is being tried out by the City of Ketchum as one of several traffic calming devices in West Ketchum.

Harman, who lives next to the roundabout, decided it needed some beautification similar to the roundabouts in England, which sport lavish floral displays and other decorations. He calls it West Palm Beach.

The city will ask residents whether they think the roundabout should become a permanent fixture at the end of summer, said Lisa Enourato, public affairs manager for the City of Ketchum.

P.S. The Roundabout now has its own website: https://wwwroundaboutlounge.com/