By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
Andrew Crider, a student at Reynoldsburg Schools’ eSTEM Academy, recently oversaw work at Pine Quarry Park as part of his Eagle Scout candidate project. Crider is a Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful board member.
In just over a year since forming, an organization dedicated to beautifying the city is implementing programs that will have a lasting impact on Reynoldsburg’s parks, schools and streets.
Earlier this year, Reynoldsburg officially became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful – the largest community improvement organization in the United States. The organization educates residents on how to take action every day to improve their community environment by promoting resources that increase recycling, end littering and beautify in other ways.
Reynoldsburg resident Arley Owens, who heads the organization, said the group already has begun several initiatives, including an adopt-a-spot and adopt-a-street program that launched in July.
The Reynoldsburg Senior Center signed up to be the first organization to adopt a section of the city, choosing Huber Park’s walking trail behind the center and pledging to keep it clean and free of litter, Owens said.
“Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful provided the center with little grabbers and will furnish litter bags to collect any trash or litter on the trail,” he said. “As finances permit, Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful will provide Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Street signage that will carry the business, organization or community group who has adopted the spot or street.”
Organizations must agree to a two-year commitment to clean up their adopted areas regularly, Owens said. Currently, the group is seeking a community organization to adopt the four boulevard islands located at the intersection of Brice Road and Birchview Drive.
To sign up for this location or others in Reynoldsburg, go to keepreynoldsburgbeautiful.org or email arleyowens@keepreynoldsburgbeautiful.org for information.
Pine Quarry
Located off Kinsley Drive on the city’s eastside, Pine Quarry Park is in need of repairs, Owens says.
However, with the help of a Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful board member, help has begun.
Andrew Crider, a student at Reynoldsburg Schools’ eSTEM Academy, recently oversaw the work of the organization and community volunteers to improve the park’s trails as part of his Eagle Scout candidate project.
Crider and volunteers lay new timbers and placed railroad ties along the trails to help direct water flow and prevent flooding, Owens said.
Recycling program
Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful is working with Reynoldsburg Schools to improve or implement recycling programs at each of the schools.
Katie Byers, assistant principal at Slate Ridge Elementary School, is one of the organization’s board members and is championing the effort to increase recycling at her school, Owens said.
“Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful has officially adopted Slate Ridge Elementary and will plan and implement a recycling collection program with an education component,” he said.
The Reynoldsburg Civic Association has donated $500 and the Slate Ridge Civic Association has given $100 toward this effort. The combined $600 is earmarked to purchase recycling containers for the elementary, Owens said.
The group is aiming for Nov. 15, which falls on America Recycles Day, to officially launch the recycling program, he said.
