From Ann Mort

April 11, 2012

Volunteers are the most valuable part of keeping Middletown Beautiful, according to Jeff Michel, Executive Director of the local organization. From a beginning of about 30 hardy volunteers to last year’s record 150 who came out on Earth Day to spruce up Middletown Parks, the enthusiasm has grown along with the beauty of the local parks.

This Friday, April 13, volunteers are asked to join the fun beginning at 8 am at Gardner Park, 1001 Catalpa Drive (just off Tytus Avenue). Volunteers will then divide up into nine teams to go to City parks to clean up, fix up, paint and mulch until noon when lunch and a celebration will be held back at Gardner Park.

Kohls.com has adopted Middletown park projects as their own and consistently brings several dozen workers. Duke Energy, under the direction of Tony Sinclair, is removing the dead and/or dangerous trees in several parks—even more than in past years when they have also helped.

Individuals and other groups are more than welcome. Bring any appropriate tools, gloves, etc. Whatever the skill level, there will be plenty of appropriate work to do. Michel has 18 gallons of paint ready and waiting for application to playground equipment, picnic tables and benches in several parks along with piles of mulch and bushes in need of pruning.

In the past few years, a single park has been renovated each year thanks to the generosity of professional landscapers and church, civic and business groups along with individual and family group volunteers. This year, Gardner Park is the designated park for a total overhaul but eight other parks will be included in the Earth Day blitz.

For more information, call Jeff Michel at 513-465-2675.