[RP TownTalk] Road Beautification

[Susan Lewis]

I recall vaguely a Federal Program for Road Beautification.  Lady Bird
Johnson (?) had something to do with it.  Federal money has been spent on
tulips and wildflowers along Virginia roadways and PA has some gorgeous
purple spreading flowers along every major thruway in the state.  There must
be a way to tap that resource.  Something perennial to keep maintenance and
replanting costs down.  That would save money on banners, as well.  Everyone
has banners and we already have the blue historic signs.  I would love to
hear someone say:" Riverdale?  That's over there where those gorgeous
flowers/trees are growing in the median."  Perhaps we could do something
with our own tree program that would provide some shade to people sitting
through 5 changes of the light to get up and down East-West Highway. As an
added benefit, greenspace is one of the key elements in the halt of global
warming.  We could be contributing in so many ways by smart planting of that
strip. Just my thoughts. :-) Sue


Message: 2
Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 23:53:26 -0400
From: "Dwight Holmes" <dwightrholmes at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] TownTalk Digest, Vol 10, Issue 39
To: TownTalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
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	<8123da3c0705192053g6a6788f3h7dd4e985c0610b32 at mail.gmail.com>
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Dannielle, a lot of great points here.

Not that it's necessarily the most important, but this one (streetscape
beauty) is one i often think about. These days, most especially while
driving down 401 btw Rt 1 and Kenilworth. It really is looking unkempt these
days -- and as you say, there's nothing that creates a bad impression like a
lack of care and attention to what's growing along and in the median of our
roads.  But i suspect this falls within the purview of the state and not the
town, since it's a Maryland highway route? is that right?  Is there someone
we can call or e-mail to try to light a fire under 'em?

On 5/17/07, Dannielle Glaros <dmglaros at gmail.com> wrote:
> --Improving the look of our key corridors.  Hate to admit it, but a 
> lot of people judge "a book by the cover."  Kenilworth Ave, 410, Rt 1 
> are not pretty to look at--working/creating incentives for rehab of 
> commercial properties, sidewalk improvements, even just cutting the 
> grass, banners on light posts, and beautiful gardens in median strips can
make a difference.
> Some places offer matching grants for businesses to improve their 
> signage or do facade improvements.

For more information about Riverdale Park, visit
http://www.ci.riverdale-park.md.us

End of TownTalk Digest, Vol 10, Issue 45
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