MANSFIELD, Ohio — Mansfield is getting a facelift.
The Richland County Foundation awarded the Mansfield Area Beautification sector a $33,610 grant to assist with six beautification projects. The Mansfield Area Beautification sector is part of the Richland Community Development Group and consists of local citizens dedicated to the enhancement, development and future of the region’s quality of life through projects that visually improve the community.
Doug Versaw, convener of the Mansfield Area Beautification sector, discussed what these projects entail at Thursday’s Mansfield Area Beautification sector meeting.
One project involves the purchase, planting and care of approximately 79 trees on the South Main Street entry to Mansfield. RCF granted $15,010 to the beautification sector for this project.
Versaw said some of the preliminary work has begun.
RCF also granted $950 for the replacement of five dead trees along the north side of Fourth Street and Mulberry Street.
Versaw said they may wait until fall to plant the trees.
“If we plant them in the middle of the hot summer, that’s probably not a good idea,” he said.
A sum of $10,000 is earmarked for landscaping and repair of the Park Avenue East subway. Versaw said he may approach nearby merchants to see if they would like to contribute additional funds to help spruce up that area.
“We haven’t asked for any dollars yet, but I would assume if we can show them what we’re planning on doing, they’d probably want to help contribute to that,” he said.
He said he’d like to see the whole subway painted and possibly have a Mansfield sign made out of steel added on the guardrail up above.
“We’re hoping to really make that subway look nice,” he said.
The sector received $6,000 for Christmas lights for the Main Street area (Third Street, Main Street and Walnut Street). Another $1,200 was allocated for the purchase of 24 hanging baskets in the downtown and $450 for the watering of those hanging baskets.
Versaw expressed his appreciation for the funds and looks forward to see how these projects will help beautify the city. He added that people may donate funds to go toward more beautification projects, noting contributions are tax deductible. Go to the RCDG website to find out more.
“The more that comes in, the more beautification that we can do,” he said.
Allie Watson, program officer at RCF, said the foundation has noticed the beautification sector’s progress.
“We’re excited to see what they can do this year with the funding.”
RCDG Grants
Other sectors of RCDG also received grants from RCF.
The Arts and Culture sector received a $2,000 grant to assist with The Art of It All: a Week of Arts and Culture in Richland County; Artober Calendars; and promotion/advertising of 2016 events/projects.
The RCDG Arts and Culture sector is comprised of local artists and patrons of the arts. The sector plans and organizes events, as well as publicizes the arts and cultural growth happenings throughout Richland County. RCDG Arts and Culture sector is committed to showing how the various art forms can have a direct impact on the economic strength of the community.
The Be Well Richland sector was awarded a $1,000 grant to assist with its second annual Be Well Richland: Healthy Living Festival scheduled for Saturday, April 2 at the Renaissance Theatre.
The Healthy Living Festival will feature presentations by local health and wellness experts, including five-time U.S. National Taekwondo Champion, Natalie Hershberger and motivational speaker and dancer, Judson Laipply, The Evolution of Dance.
Be Well Richland is dedicated to offering annual programming which fosters constructive conversations around health and wellness.
The Talent Development sector was awarded a $3,000 grant to assist in the training and/or support of the Career Coaching Program.
The goal of the Talent Development sector is to maximize/increase educational attainment for all individuals at all levels of ability that prepares them to be lifelong learners and for success in those fields of learning that are most critical to the future of the economy/community.
