By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
The City is observing May’s designation as “Beautification Month” in Shinnston. Crews have been doing some spring cleaning, doing street sweeping and the City has encouraged local businesses to clean their windows and make their property look more presentable.
In addition, employees of PDC Energy in Bridgeport were in town all day on Monday doing volunteer community service projects as part of their observance of “Energize Our Communities” effort. This is PDC’s fourth consecutive year of participation in the Shinnston area. In previous visits, they have completed cleanup projects at the Sue Ann Miller Trail Head, helped at the Shinnston Community Garden, and at Ferguson Memorial Park.
According to Shinnston Community Development Director AJ Hammond, this year’s volunteer cleanup comes at a very opportune time. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect since the United Way Bocce Tournament will be held at the bocce courts at Ferguson Park this Saturday. We are extremely appreciative of the volunteer efforts of PDC Energy in helping to rid our park entrance of weeds and to clean up around the bocce courts in preparation for the visitors that will be coming this weekend for the bocce tournament fundraising event. We want those visiting our park to notice that we care about our community and care for it!”
Eight PDC employees spent their entire 8-hour work day volunteering as a community service at the site. In addition, they donated $50 to the project.
Hammond says he is very pleased with the businesses’ input as well. “We have had several of our local merchants step forward to volunteer to ‘Adopt A Block’ in the downtown area to maintain the flowers in the streetside urns. And Jewel City Church worked on Pike Street Wednesday evening touching up the paint on the urns and adding some fresh soil. All Season’s Florist has been gracious enough to donate flowers for the urns, which Jewel City volunteers planted as well. Their volunteers also weeded along the sidewalks and did some cleanup work down at the Activities Park. Also, the Boy Scouts have been busy sprucing up the Veterans Memorial in preparation for their upcoming flag burning ceremony later this month. So I’m very pleased with the response we have received from people willing to help us get ready for summer traffic in our community!”
Several special community events have been planned for the summer season. Watch for details. And be sure to plan some outing at Ferguson Memorial Park during the summer months. The pool will be opening next Saturday, May 27th, and as temperatures rise permitting more outdoor activities, remember that park pavilions are great spaces to reserve for parties, picnics and reunions, etc.
