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CityScape Kicks Off Annual Streetscape Campaign
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Nearly 40 years ago, the late downtown developer Dick Mills transplanted the roots of a tropical Canna plant he had grown at home to a large pot bordering a parking lot he owned on Commerce Street.
Today, the offspring of that plant still grow each season as part of CityScape's Streetscape initiative, an effort to recruit volunteers and sponsors to beautify the city's central business district and its gateway thoroughfares.
It's this tidbit of downtown history that lent itself to this year's Streetscape theme, "We Canna! Canna You?" as the organization kicked off its annual campaign breakfast at Mill Creek Metroparks' Fellows Riverside Gardens this morning.
Now in its 17th year, Streetscape is committed to improving Youngstown's image, says Sharon Letson, CityScape's executive director.
"This is our kickoff, and without sponsors, we can't plant the downtown," she says, noting she anticipates the same amount of support the event has attracted over the last number of years.
Planting day for this year is Saturday May 31, Letson says. In 2013, the event attracted about 500 volunteers who spent their Saturday morning spreading mulch, landscaping, and planting flowers and shrubs downtown.
Also this year, the organization has partnered with Treez Please, a group that advocates planting native trees and plants in the Mahoning Valley to attract additional pollination.
"We're always looking to reach out into the community and other partnerships," Letson says.
Jean Engle, co-chairwoman of Treez Please says her group intends to plant some native wildflowers on the far west end of Federal Street, near the Mahoning Valley Historical Society's new Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center.
The idea is to draw more pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the area, Engle says. In recent years, the ranks of honeybee communities and other pollinators of flowers and plants have declined as a result of pesticides.
The group, established in 2007, has planted trees and flowers all across the city, including the Idora Park neighborhood, Brier Hill and Wick Park, added Susie Beiersdorfer, co-chairwoman.
"We've forged a great relationship with neighborhoods," she says.
CityScape vice president Scott Schulick praised all of the volunteers and the organization's committee for the hard work they've put in to make the event successful. He also pulled no punches when it came to addressing what the organization requires.
"We need money. We need volunteers," he smiled. "You'll see the results of your investments downtown."
Those interested in participating or learning more about CityScape can call at 330- in this year's event can call 330-742-4040, or visit the organization's website at www.youngstowncityscape.com.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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