smseal.jpg (5540 bytes)
Akron, Ohio News Release...

Winner of "Take Pride in Akron" Keep Akron Beautiful Award Announced

City of Akron

166 S. High Street · Akron, Ohio 44308
(330)-375-2538 · Fax: (330)-375-2335
For Immediate Release
Date:
Contact:		 September 24, 1999
Mark Williamson (willima@ci.akron.oh.us)

PRESSRELEASE

Keep Akron Beautiful - 850 East Market Street - Akron, Ohio 44305-2424 - 330-375-2116 - Fax: 330-375-2118

For Immediate Release
Date: October 16, 1999
Contact: Paula Davis
Phone: 330-375-2116
Fax: 330-375-2118

Akron, Ohio- Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic presented Elaine Evans of Let’s Grow Akron with the first "Take Pride in Akron" Keep Akron Beautiful Award at his weekly press conference, Tuesday, November 16, 1999. The press conference was held at the Salvation Army headquarters. The photo plaque award was designed to recognize projects by individuals or groups that exemplify the mission and vision of Keep Akron Beautiful.

Mission:

Keep Akron Beautiful develops and implements public education and community improvement programs on litter prevention, recycling, waste management, and beautification to encourage citizens to take pride in Akron by participating in these activities

Vision:

A litter-free Akron where all citizens and businesses take pride and responsibility for the cleanliness and beautification of their environment.

In this inaugural year, seven nominations were made. It was felt by the selection committee that the Children’s Garden project of Let’s Grow Akron best combined the principles of recycling, litter prevention, environmental education, and beautification, which our nonprofit agency values. The garden is located on the southwest shore of Summit Lake on land previously listed by Keep Akron Beautiful as a chronic illegal dumpsite. The one-year-old project was designed in sections to provide unique learning experiences for children. Six aspects of the garden are completed, such as the ABC and the Butterfly Gardens, and there are three more on the drawing board! Funding for the garden began with the City of Akron’s Neighborhood Project Program and the Sisler McFawn Foundation, and has benefited from grants from the Akron Garden Club, WITAN, and the Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation.

It is important to publicly say thank you to individuals, groups, and companies that make our environment a better place to live and work.  In 1999 Keep Akron Beautiful, representing the citizens of Akron, is saying congratulations to Let’s Grow Akron for creating a children’s garden that helps kids discover the excitement of exploring the natural world around them.

In August 2000, Keep Akron Beautiful will again be accepting nomination forms and photographs of community projects that best reflect the promotion of recycling, responsible waste management, litter prevention, environmental education and beautification. Call 330-375-2116 to obtain an application form in June 2000.