VOLUNTEERISM Day is set to clean city park

Organizers hope the efforts increase pride in, and use of, Liberty Memorial Park.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- People work out or simply relax in Liberty Memorial Park on most days, and soon it will be an even more aesthetically pleasing place to take morning strolls and afternoon jogs.
City officials, local businesses and a host of concerned citizens have joined forces to clean up the park as part of a Make A Difference Day campaign. The cleanup will take place between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 22.
Make A Difference Day is a national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA Weekend magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.
Bothered by poor upkeep
April Middlebrook, a relatively new resident to the city, said she enjoyed Liberty Memorial Park before moving in. But she was disturbed by the way others treated the park, saying it didn't get the same level of care and respect as other parks in the area.
Middlebrook said some parts of the park are not used as much as they could be because the upkeep has been lacking.
"I would walk down in the park and see little things like people throwing things, etc," she said. "Some of the buildings are in dire need of paint. The park just needs a little TLC."
Middlebrook recognized the national Make a Difference Day campaign as an opportunity to get residents in the city involved in a large scale project to clean the park. She and her partner, Paul Minotti of Girard, started looking for help and now have commitments from a few dozen individuals, but hope to see more people standing in the park ready to work.
"We figured we would get the residents involved. These are definitely projects the residents can help do," she said. "We will accomplish as much as we can with the volunteers we have and the money provided by our business sponsors."
Other support
Several area businesses have donated tools, refreshments and financial support. Middlebrook said volunteers with rakes, trimmers and other tools are still needed.
Members of city council and Mayor James Melfi have also pledged support for the project.
Middlebrook said the group of volunteers will be trimming grass and sprucing up the tennis courts, boccie courts and shuffle board area. She said paint will be added to the entrance bridge to the park, pavilions, restrooms and memorials.
Middlebrook said the ultimate goal is to increase the park's beauty and use. She said more collective pride in the park and how it looks will help cut down on graffiti and other vandalism.
"We want to keep the natural beauty of the park, but give it the TLC that even nature needs," she said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com