Staff Reports
Work by local teens on downtown beautification is set to continue today.
Members of Compeer Niagara are planting a garden at Saxton and Walnut streets, thanks to a grant from Sustainable Earth Solutions — and a timely “green” gift from gardener Shirley Yaremo. She contributed day lilies, hostas and black-eyed susans to get the garden started.
The teens are working every other Wednesday in the garden, which they’re planting on a vacant parcel held by YWCA of Niagara. Their ultimate goal is to inspire community members to maintain the beautified space.
Sustainable Earth Solutions awarded the group a $200 grant for needed supplies or, ideally, a park bench. Youths previously attended an SES environmental youth summit and proposed a written “plan of action” to help beautify Lockport and increase environmental awareness.
Two weeks ago, the teens began acting on their plan by clearing weeds, preparing garden beds and planting the perennials given by Yaremo. Additional plants, and topsoil, are still needed for the plot.
The teens plan to work on their project throughout the summer. Community members who would like to assist or donate materials may come out to the plot between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. today or call 433-3780.
Compeer Niagara is an enterprise of the Mental Health Association in Niagara County.
