The overall goal of the Chamber Beautification & Rejuvenation Committee is to create a welcoming atmosphere and first impression to residents and visitors in the area, showing a sense of community pride while 'branding' the city with the official 'Glenwood Sailboat' logo that has become the official logo of several organizations in the area as well as for the City of Glenwood. Additionally, we would like to see a common theme throughout the city, not a mix-match of differences.
The trees in downtown Glenwood are overdue for replacement. Some have already died and/or come down in storms, while others seem to be getting close to the same in age and/or disease infested (fungus beginning to appear on some with the potential to spread to other trees in the area). If the current trees left in the downtown area (Minnesota Avenue 1 block each direction of the stoplight) were to be replaced with a columnar maple tree (as shown in the picture), what type of impression would people have of the downtown area?
Likewise, the sidewalks downtown are in need of repair in several areas. The areas where trees are no longer standing, should new trees be planted or should the squares be filled in with concrete and something else put in its place such as planters, trash receptacles, ashtrays, etc.?
Would planters (like the one shown or a variation of such a planter) make sense in addition to or instead of the trees in the downtown area if placed on the sidewalks in front of the main street businesses and reaching further into the business district around town? Whether it is round planters as shown here, square planters, or some other type of planter, would this create a welcoming and pleasant appearance for people walking or driving along the streets?
In 2009, the Glenwood Beautification & Rejuvenation Committee decided to discontinue the hanging flower baskets and replace them with updated banners, sporting the "Great Place to Work, Shop, Live, & Play" as well as the "Where Everyone's Your Neighbor" tag lines.
At the same time, the new banners tied in such themes as business and agriculture, while supporting other sectors of the County and Minnewaska Area with the Sailboat (Tourism and Recreation) and Minnewaska Lakers logos.
Unfortunately, while the banners were completed, they were not able to be hung for a variety of reasons and have since been stored and/or have found alternative homes besides lining the streets downtown. Would it make sense at this time to put up some decorative poles that have the capability to be converted into streetlights in the future when the City is ready to tackle that project so that the banners can be hung downtown or is this a better project for the future to coincide with the City's streetlight project?
What suggestions do you have for the committee to consider? Your input is valuable, no matter what the opinion. Please feel free to submit a comment to this post so that we can see what you have to say!
The Glenwood Chamber Beautification & Rejuvenation Committee will be meeting again on Wednesday, May 18, from 12-1 at the Chamber Office. If you would like to join us for lunch and be part of the decision making process, please let us know and we welcome your input! Lunch is on us - just be sure to tell us you are coming so that we can plan appropriately!
Thanks for your thoughts and we look forward to this year's project to get underway in the next few weeks!
