Pleasant Run Beautification

Pleasant Run Beautification

By: Jeff Miller

Furthering one of the goals set forth in the Southeast Quality of Life Plan, the SEND Public Space committee hosted the sixth beautification effort in the last two years along the Pleasant Run Trail on Saturday, September 20th. Three of the six events have been managed by the Public Space committee, and the other three have been partnerships with either the Lilly Day of Giving or the White River Clean-up. The efforts have each taken place at different locations along the trail, and this one started at Pleasant Run Parkway and Prospect and then moved West along the trail all the way to Villa Ave. This location was chosen due to the involvement of the Villa Baptist Church, located at 2650 Villa Ave. The church contributed 6 volunteers from the congregation to help out. Also lending a hand was the Mary Ann Sullivan campaign. Running for House District 97, Mary Ann has gotten involved recently in the Public Space efforts. The total volunteer count for the day was 14, with Portia Haugen, Jeff Miller, Jonathon Mirgeaux and Kelli Safford from the Public Space committee all lending a hand. The activities focused on trash pickup along the trail and down in the streambed and also cutting back invasive species along the trail. “It has been great to see how the six beautification efforts over the last two years have really made a difference”, said Jeff Miller, Public Space Chairman. “I can remember spending two solid hours in about a ½ block area during our first effort last year, due to the high volume of litter. Now we are really seeing progress and the trail looks so much cleaner and more friendly.” A huge thanks to Indy Greenways, which has really stepped up efforts by having Community Courts workers pick up trash along the trail throughout the year. And of course none of this would be possible without Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, which provides gloves, bags and dumpsters. Watch for more such beautification efforts to come in 2009. The overall goal is to make the trail something that people are proud of and consider a true asset to the community.