Once again Earth Day was a celebrating of green and clean as hundreds of volunteers took to
the streets with rakes, brooms, bags and flowers.
Lakewood, like many Northern cities, needs a good dusting every spring, and for over a
decade Gail Higgins through Keep Lakewood Beautiful has been doing the job. Recently one
of Lakewood's really good photographers, and farmer, and volunteer Dan Morgan has stepped
up to help lead the group.
Some of Lakewood's retired senior volunteers cleaning up the Downtown Business District.
It is always nice seeing so many turn out to clean up what needs cleaning, so that we can
come out of winter with a brand spanking new clean moment. I think we all agree, on that
day when you open all the windows, and air out the house, wash the windows, and enjoy
the fresh spring air, is a great day!
Then I stopped by my favorite park, Kauffman Park, and ran into some of the Friends of
Kauffman Park raking leaves, Dan Alaimo, Meg Ostrowski, Jaime Bouvier and son, doing a great job on Kauffman Park.
A fun side note, Kauffman Park has been free of graffiti since when it was reported 7
months ago, and was recently awarded cleanest and safest Downtown Park, larger than
1 acre in downtown Lakewood. I have spent many evenings over the past 30 days sitting
around Kauffman Park talking to families, residents and visitors wandering through, asking
them, "A couple Lakewood Council members think nothing ever good happens in parks
after dusk. So what law-breaking, no good act is your family up to this evening?" The
answers are pretty funny.
Thanks again to all, it is so nice to have volunteers willing to come forward and keep our
business districts and parks clean. It is the volunteers and residents who make this city great!
.
