Armed with squeegees, brooms and paintbrushes, Ohio University organizations and other individuals took to the streets to participate in yesterday's sixth annual Athens Beautification Day.
Beautification Day, which was started in 2005 by the Men's Water Polo Club Team and was taken over by Student Senate two years later, originally was scheduled for last Sunday, May 2. Steady rainfall May 2 forced Student Senate to reschedule the event.
There were fewer volunteers than originally planned because of the reschedule, said Robin Jones, Student Senate commissioner for off-campus life. She said about 150 students from 15 campus organizations and other individuals were involved in the cause.
Four or five organizations had to cancel because of the changed date, Jones said. She added that she is working with the organizations to find projects to do at a later date.
Several local businesses and groups, including City Council, student senate parties P.E.A.R. and SOUND, Abrio's Brick Oven and Citizens Bank donated money to Beautification Day, Jones said. Radio stations Power 105 and 970 WATH and The Athens NEWS donated free advertising, and Uptown Dog T-shirts gave the organizers a deal on the shirts for participants, she said.
This is a great way to get citizens of Athens involved and create a sense of community
Mayor Paul Wiehl said.
Brooms in hand, students from Read-Johnson Scholars Complex and Biddle Hall swept up glass and other debris on both Palmer and Mill streets after the Palmerfest fire Saturday night.
I think its kind of pointless that student groups have to clean up private property after the fests said Ryan Boulton, an undecided freshman from Read-Johnson as he swept a driveway on Palmer. But it's kind of necessary because it won't get done otherwise.
Students also traveled to Highland Park, on Highland Avenue, to plant a rain garden, which uses aesthetically pleasing native plants to reduce storm water runoff and water pollutants. The city has been discussing possible locations for the rain gardens since February.
Student Senate approached Ron Lucas, the city's assistant service-safety director, to suggest Highland Park as a possible location for the project, said Ted Hamilton a student senator for off-campus life and a senior studying anthropology and political science.
Hamilton said it is important for students to give back to the community.
This is our home for three-fourths of the year Hamilton said. We need to respect it.
Students also painted benches and the playground at Highland Park.
Although most Beautification Day participants were volunteering with student organizations, Megan Smith, a freshman studying art, was volunteering as part of her requirements for LINKS, a peer-mentoring program for African American, Latino and Native American freshmen.
A lot of people trash Athens
Smith said. It's not a good look.
Mariah Thrush, a freshman studying environmental plant biology, participated in the Beautification Day with the Honors College Advisory Council.
Athens has given a lot to me
Thrush said. I want to give back to them.
1
News
Alex Stuckey
31662a.jpg
Sophomore Kelly Nelson helps clean up Palmer Street as part of the Athens Beautification Day yesterday.
