Westside Park Beautification

Saturday, December 2nd, at Waterside Park, marked the completion of the first efforts of Salisbury's Neighborhood Beautification Team, a volunteer group assembled by the Department of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance under the leadership of Housing Supervisor Susan Phillips. The event was an obvious success, as more than a dozen volunteers, including DNSCC Director, Tom Stevenson, for once not wearing a suit and tie, cleaned up trash, mowed the grass, trimmed trees, planted flowers and shrubs, and painted playground equipment. Lunch was provided courtesy of Cato Oil, whose main office is just across the street from the park.

Waterside Park, located at Parsons Road, is a city park that has, for some time, been a prime location of drug deals and other less than savory activities. The work completed on Saturday by members of the Beautification Team is part of a developing plan to improve the appearance and function to public areas in Salisbury. Statistics show that areas that are well-maintained and kept attractive to families and other members of the public have a positive impact on controlling negative behaviors, such as drug transactions and gang activities. The efforts of the Team and groups like it are positive moves toward taking back our parks and recreation areas from those who would keep them as locations for illegal activities. Hats off to those who made Saturday's efforts a success! And kudos to Cato Oil for the donation of a tasty Popeye's chicken lunch!For more information on the Neighborhood Beautification Team, and how to volunteer for upcoming events, contact Susan Phillips at sphillips@ci.salisbury.md.us, or call (410) 341-9550.