City rings in Earth Day with Douglass Park renovations

MIDDLETOWN — After more than six months, city officials and volunteers gathered in the newly-renovated Douglass Park to celebrate Earth Day.

Steve Lewis, owner of Lewis Horticulture and field coordinator for the revitalization effort, said the original concept was to get members of the greens business in the local community to “come together on something that will make a difference in the town.” Through the project, Lewis said he came to realize everyone involved shares similar goals.

“We all want the town to look nice, but people kind of forget it takes labor to do it,” he said. “I have learned that by hooking up with successful people who have vision, you can really get things done.”

Keep Middletown Beautiful has focused its efforts on Douglass Park since October, when volunteers started clearing out dying and dilapidated trees to make room for new vegetation. Lewis said crews cleared out close to 90 trees, then planted another 62.

“I was stunned to hear some people did not want their kids playing in the park because they were afraid of limbs falling,” Lewis said. “It was dangerous in here, but this place is looking like a completely different park now.”

Duke Energy supplied 20 volunteers to help put a few finishing touches on the park and Robert “Sonny” Hill Community Center, placing mulch around trees and spreading gravel over various spots throughout the area. The company also presented the city with a $1,000 check to help cover expenses associated with the Earth Day celebration.

Tim Abbott, director of government and community relations with Duke, said the company was “excited to celebrate Earth Day by giving back to the community.”

Councilman A.J. Smith said his 2nd Ward constituents have been pleased with the enhancements made to both Douglass Park and the community center, even if they were initially uncertain as to what was going on.

“I think some people weren’t sure what we were doing at first by cutting down the trees,” Smith said. “Now that we’re almost done with our work here in the park I think they’re feeling pretty satisfied with the end result.”

Jeff Michel, executive director with Keep Middletown Beautiful, said while work is winding down on Douglass Park, the group has yet to decide what to tackle this fall.

“Let’s get this one done, then sit down and figure out what we want to do next,” Michel said. “We will be doing something else, we’ve just got to get out ducks in order before we start moving.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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