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CityScape prepares to tidy up downtown
Youngstown CityScape kicks off the 2009 Streetscape project with an extra $500 donated by Sam’s Club.
YOUNGSTOWN — “Spring is really here,” proclaimed Sharon Letson, Youngstown CityScape executive director.
The start of sunny days marks the 12th year that Youngstown City- Scape will beautify the downtown area with its Streetscape planting event.
“The theme is ‘We Grow Hope,’” Letson said at the annual Streetscape breakfast Friday at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Come May 30, volunteers will swarm the downtown area, working diligently to remove debris. They will plant, trim and mulch to beautify city streets, city hall, Wick Park and more.
Last year, more than 400 people volunteered, and Letson is expecting about the same number this year.
“It’s fun because people can come do the project and then watch their work grow,” she said.
Construction work halted planting on West Federal Street during last year’s Streetscape project, so this year extra attention will be paid to the flower beds lining the street, Letson said.
Something as simple as cleaning up weeds and litter around the house or around a neighborhood also aids in the beautification of the city, Letson said.
“The difference will show,” she said.
Mayor Jay Williams believes the difference has already been recognized by area residents, as well as visitors.
“The past several months, there have been letters to the editor in The Vindicator concerning the appearance of the city,” he said.
One that stood out was written by a woman from Poland who hadn’t been downtown for years and said she was astonished to see the difference in the way the city looks, he said.
“I think she used the term ‘magical,’” Williams said.
“Responses like that are a direct result of the partnerships we have here today,” he said to those at the breakfast.
More than 250,000 visitors from the greater Youngstown region, as well as other parts of the country, came downtown last year for various events. Organizations such as CityScape are the reason those visitors have something positive to say about the city, he said.
In the light of work done by CityScape, Sam’s Club presented the organization with $500 for this year’s projects.
CityScape did its own award presentation, recognizing city residents who work hard to keep their property well-landscaped.
The mission of CityScape takes the commitment of individuals, business groups and community organizations, Letson said.
“These [Beautification Award] winners did not wait for others to do the job they think is important — beautification,” she said.
“It’s contagious, what you do in your yards,” Letson said to the winners. “It makes your neighbors want to emulate you.”
Residents don’t have to plant an abundance of flowers in their yards to be involved or help fund the efforts of CityScape.
A fundraising event hosted by CityScape on May 2 will feature the movie “Fine Tune,” directed by Chris Rutushin of Youngstown. Proceeds from the event will benefit the annual Streetscape downtown landscape beautification project May 30.
Letson also made mention to the Wick Park tree planting event hosted by Treez Please at 9 a.m. March 28.
The event is part of the Wick Park Revitalization, and volunteers will plant 18 trees, including eight thornless honey locust, six red sunset maples and four October glory maples, said Jean Engle, Treez Please treasurer.
“The maples will turn bright red in the fall,” she said. “Everyone is welcome to help.”