Streetscape kicks off its fundraising drive

By David Skolnick | March 24, 2012 at 12:04a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

What started out as a handful of people planting a few flowers in the city’s downtown 15 years ago is now a major beautification effort with about 500 participants, its organizers say.

The city’s 15th annual Streetscape planting day’s fundraising drive kicked off at a Friday breakfast at the D.D. and Velma Davis Center at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens.

“We’re a far cry from where we were 15 years ago,” said Sharon Letson, executive director of Youngstown CityScape, which oversees Streetscape.

“We play an important role in the look of the city.”

Streetscape’s planting day is from 8 a.m. to noon June 2. An appreciation lunch follows the event on the city’s Central Square.

The organization usually raises about $50,000 a year to purchase flowers, shrubs, mulch and planting and cleaning equipment, Letson said.

At Friday’s event, the Raymond John Wean Foundation gave $35,000 to Youngstown CityScape with $20,000 going toward infrastructure work at Wick Park on the city’s North Side and the rest for operational costs for the nonprofit organization. Some of that $15,000 could go to Streetscape, Letson said.

Streetscape focuses on downtown but also is active at Wick Park and the gateways into downtown and relies on citizen groups to beautify the neighborhoods, Letson said.

“We’re successful because people see a return on their investment,” said Scott Schulick, CityScape vice president and vice president of investments for Stifel Nicolaus.

Mayor Charles Sammarone said the beautification effort is important to the revitalization of the city’s downtown.

“We want the downtown moving in the right direction, and this is so helpful,” he said. “We’re moving up, and this program is one of the reasons.”

Those wanting to volunteer or donate money can visit CityScape’s website — youngstowncityscape.com — or call the organization at 330-742-4040.