April showers have, as called for, brought May flowers. Now, the folks in downtown Everett are hoping May flowers bring out a host of volunteers.
Friday marks the first of two opportunities for people to roll up their sleeves and dig in the dirt to help beautify the city. From 8 until 9:30 a.m. the focus will be on the central business district as city staffers pair with volunteers to fill the planter boxes along Colby and Hewitt avenues with summer flowers.
The plants, gardening gloves, safety vests and planting equipment will be provided, as will the required coffee and other refreshments. Advance registration isn’t necessary, but if you’re interested in helping, you’re asked to check in at the Cascade Bank Building at Hewitt and Colby where you can also sign up for a chance to win a lovely hanging basket to take home and help beautify your own backyard.
Gardening junkies will also want to mark their calendars for the morning of June 6, when the annual planting of Mukilteo Boulevard will take place. This huge project involves planting tens of thousands of colorful impatiens along the tree-lined roadway. The team effort pays spectacular dividends all summer as residents and visitors marvel at the magnificent floral display marking the gateway to Everett’s popular 197-acre treasure, Forest Park.
For more information about the planting projects, call Everett Parks and Recreation at 425-257-8300.
Beyond Everett, most of our cities and towns offer residents the opportunity to volunteer to help beautify their neighborhoods — although community-minded folks don’t have to wait for a formal invitation to lend a hand. Something as simple as picking up litter or clearing away blackberry bushes from a bench or picnic table are easy ways to contribute. While we’re not encouraging folks to storm local parks with chain saws and power tools, we do believe that smaller acts of kindness are terrific ways to show meaningful support for our public spaces.
In light of ongoing budget cuts, even a small amount of assistance could be invaluable to our seriously stretched parks department personnel. Whether it’s stepping up to adopt a street or park, taking responsibility for our own trash or extending a bit to clean up the mess left by others, volunteering in our parks and public spaces is a great way to demonstrate pride in this community.
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