Wick Park neighborhood properties get a facelift

July 25, 2015 at 3:33p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Vacant properties in the Wick Park Neighborhood on the North Side received a facelift.

More than 40 volunteers, mostly Youngstown State University students, came together Saturday to clean up, and board up, about 10 homes. Many of the properties have been vacant and unmaintained for several years. YSUscape decided to address the issue.

With the help of a $2,100 Raymond John Wean Foundation grant, the YSU student organization purchased supplies, and then solicited the help of student organizations, neighborhood associations, and neighborhood stakeholders for the workday. Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and YSU’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies helped with the project.

YSUscape was formed nearly two years ago and works to unite university and citywide organizations to revitalize and beautify Youngstown through various projects. Members are committed to revitalization of not only the YSU campus, but the city of Youngstown. It has about 30 members.

Workers grabbed gloves, rakes, shovels and more to clear brush and clean up trash Saturday. They also secured the properties so people cannot enter them.