Port Washington residents looking to plant trees and improve the appearance of Main Street can attend this year’s Clean Green Main Street event on April 16.
The annual event hosted by Residents For a More Beautiful Port Washington and the Town of North Hempstead starts at 9 a.m. at the LIRR Station parking lot.
Volunteers will receive shovels and rakes, mulch and garbage bags, plants and brooms. Volunteers will then spend an hour spreading mulch, planting and cleaning tree beds, garden areas and the sidewalks all along Main Street in Port Washington from the Boulevard to the Bay.
“What makes the 2016 Main Street Cleanup different from past years is that our goal is to have more teenagers participate to demonstrate their devotion to and care for the environment, along with working with young families and serving as role models for elementary school students,” Residents For a More Beautiful Port Washington student leader Sophie Germain said.
Germain said several teens dedicated to the environment have formed a Green Team Student Leaders group.
“We have made an effort to launch a social media campaign to make people aware of the event and why it is so important,” said Daniel Gersch, another Residents student leader.
Last year, Residents introduced teak planters along Port’s shopping district.
Residents Executive Director Mindy Germain said each planter was “adopted” through donations for purchase of the planter and maintenance throughout the growing seasons.
“The immediate success of this initiative was incredible last year,” Germain said. “We look forward to continuing to add new teak planters and beautiful seasonal flowers to more of Port’s shopping districts this year.”
Germain said a major addition to the main gateway to the community was the unveiling of the Dejana Foundation garden in front of the LIRR station, adding that the shrubs and perennials will continue to increase in size each year and will be joined during the Clean Green Main Street event by planting of annuals along with additional perennials for the display of plants.
Matt Marx, a Residents student leader, said that for the first time ever, music will be played at the LIRR Station.
Children can participate, with adult supervision. There is no need to pre-register.
All volunteers will receive a certificate of community service signed by Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington and the Town of North Hempstead.
Free bagels will be distributed for participants at Astoria Bank, located at 110 Main St. in Port Washington, and complimentary refreshments will be offered at Coffeed Sweet Comfort Bakery.
For further information, contact Residents at 767-9151 or info@pwresidents.org.
