LEXINGTON — North End Community Improvement Collaborative and Patriot Park visitors might spot a difference after a Leadership Unlimited project.
The 2023-24 class of the community leadership program organized two capstone projects for community beautification. One group installed a mural in downtown Shelby and the other planted 2,000 black-eyed Susans and red native grasses in Mansfield and Lexington.
Sarah Lee, recruiting and staffing specialist for Spherion Mid Ohio and a ’24 Leadership Unlimited graduate, said about 10 LU participants worked on the plants project.
The group planted a total of 1,750 black-eyed Susans and 250 grasses.
“We had originally planned to place them at the Trimble Road and Route 30 corridor but ran into some obstacles with ODOT,” Lee said. “I’d love to still see that in the future, but Lexington’s park superintendent Todd Ward and NECIC were really great to work with.
“Mary Cox with Floral Garden Florist housed and took care of all the plants before we found somewhere to put them, so she was a huge help.”
The grasses and flowers spruced up the walking path at Lexington’s Patriot Park and NECIC’s Urban Farm entrance at Bowman Street.
Projects are first capstones in LU history
Angie Cirone, LU program director with the Richland Area Chamber, said these beautification projects mark the first “capstones” for the LU program — which is more than 40 years old.
There were 30 participants in the LU class of 2024, half of whom worked on the Shelby project and the other half worked on the native plants project.
“The capstones really transformed the program this year from community exploration to a true engagement program,” Cirone said. “The goal is to build community leaders and they were able to learn what it takes to get a project like this done and really apply their knowledge.
“We will continue a capstone project each year that will move the community forward in some way.”
Adam Hill-Warren, senior transportation planner for the Richland County Regional Planning Commission, said he’s proud of the LU class’ capstone projects this year.
“I think it’s a totally awesome program,” he said. “It was really cool working on a project with everyone and dialing into the expertise and passions they have.
“It’s not learning leadership through a book, it’s more so by example.”
Plants should discourage weeds
Lee said the plants will likely need weeded the first few years but should discourage weeds on their own after they’ve matured.
“They really won’t require a lot of maintenance since they’re native,” Lee said. “They should help with soil erosion and come back each season.
“We’re all really proud of it. I’m glad that anyone going to the NECIC farmers market or Patriot Park will see the plants and we hope it will brighten their day.”
Leadership Unlimited has enrolled 41 participants in the class of 2025, the largest class to date.
Those interested can learn more about Leadership Unlimited on the Richland Area Chamber website or on Facebook.
