April 19, 2006Rate this Article Neighborhood gathers to beautify area By Kevin McCahill
Spring has sprung, and the Southeast Como Improvement Association is ready to get the neighborhood in shape for a colorful summer. The association is sponsoring an event known as Rendezvous at Rollins, and will focus on greening up the neighborhood starting with the intersection of 15th Avenue and Rollins Avenue Southeast. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. and is free to the public. Students are encouraged to buy plants that will be for sale to fix up their homes or apartments. The event coincides with Beautiful U Day, in which students are invited to clean up the campus. The University Child Care Center, which is located on Rollins Avenue, received a $6,000 grant for Beautiful U Day, and the association matched $3,000, according to neighborhood coordinator James De Sota. Each year the University and the association take part in a week of events with an environmental focus, De Sota said. b The major pillar of the grant was not only on beautification but traffic calming,b he said. b And there is a lot going on at (the 15th Avenue and Rollins Avenue) intersection.b The centerbs Child Care Teacher Mary Leinfelder helped to organize the event. Last year, the Aurora Center received a Beautiful U Day grant, and Leinfelder decided to try to get one this year. b Itbs just that neighborhood pride thing,b she said. b I thought we are off-campus, but we are still part of the University.b She began meeting with association members last spring, and eventually received a grant for this year. Tuesday, the association office started selling pansies in connection with the Cornercopia Student Organic Farm at the University. This yearbs Rendezvous will include tree planting with a leading tree specialist in the United States as well as workshops in organic lawn care. b Anyone who has an environmental or green bent, this is something to put on their calendar,b De Sota said. The Universitybs landscape design department will be providing a CD for designing landscaping. Community gardening organizer Stephanie Hankerson described todaybs event as the gardening and lawn care kick-off for the summer. SECIA, along with the Universitybs Child Care Center in Como received the grant, which will be used for safety and beautification improvements, Hankerson said. There are a number of community gardens in Southeast Como, especially along Como Avenue, in which students can plant flowers or vegetables. She said todaybs event would be a good opportunity for students or residents interested in organic vegetables, sustainability or b just getting to know our neighbors.b b Students that have been involved at community gardens have found that itbs really fun for them to work side-by-side with neighbors and get to know them,b Hankerson said. Jan Morlock, director of community relations at the University, connected SECIA and UCCC on the grant project. b I just love to use Beautiful U Day as a way to connect the University to the community,b she said. Certified master arborist Mark Stennes will be speaking about urban forestry and trees this afternoon. He will be available to talk about which types of trees to plant. b When people have a place to plant a tree, so often they make the wrong choices (in tree types),b he said. Colorado Spruce and Ash trees are already overgrown in the area, but Stennes recommends indigenous oak trees. Stennes said those who attend will learn something about how to take care of their property. b My principal role is as an educator,b he said. b But I have some opinions from my own experience ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
