In its eleventh year, Athens Beautification Day saw more than 1,000 people help scrub out graffiti and pick up trash, among other tasks.
The rain on Sunday afternoon did not stop more than 1,000 people from lending a helping hand for Athens Beautification Day.
The annual event, sponsored by Ohio University's Community Service Leadership Counsel in conjugation with the city, is in its 11th installment.
Almost 1,500 people registered for the event, said Rose Troyer, vice president of Athens Beautification Day.
The event consists of several projects at different locations in the area, such as The Ridges, Bong Hill, the roundabout at SR 682 and Richland Avenue. Projects included tasks such as picking up trash and removing graffiti near campus.
“Athens gives so much to us so I think it’s really important that we give back to Athens,” Troyer said.
The cleanup followed Saturday’s 13th edition of the Number Fest.
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“Yesterday I watched hordes of people going to 13 Fest and it’s good seeing hordes of people here today,” Rachel Zakem, a second-year graduate student studying environmental studies, said.
There were about 60 teams, and each project had a team leader. Zakem, her team’s leader, was tasked with removing graffiti near Court Street as part of the Targeting Area Graffiti Team.
Athens City Council President Chris Knisely said she considers the day an opportunity to meet and get to know students.
“I think it’s a great event for students and community members,” Knisely said. “I’m impressed with how organized it is.”
On Sunday’s Beautification Day, she also removed graffiti.
Kiser’s Barbeque provided food for the participants after the cleanup.
“My favorite part about today is just the fact that it combines the community and the university in such an amazing way,” Troyer said. “It has been one of the greatest experiences of my undergrad (years).”
Other city officials in attendance included Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl, who thanked the attendees for their service.
University officials also voiced their support.
“Thank you so much for coming back year after year,” Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones said during her opening speech. “If this is your first year here, I hope it’s not your last.”
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Hall-Jones was not on a team this year, but she has participated before. And she’s not the only administrator to ever take part. In 2013, President Roderick McDavis gave a speech before the event started.
“I hope to make the area a nicer place,” Derek Smith, a junior studying journalism and political science, said. He took part in the TAG Project on Court Street.
The men’s water polo team started Athens Beautification Day in 2004. Student Senate sponsored Athens Beautification Day before the Community Service and Leadership Council took it over, according to a previous Post report.
“(The CSLC) have more connections within the city and project leaders and places to do projects so we were able to do more projects this year,” Troyer said. “I’m actually really proud of the street cleanups… I think it’s nice to help clean it up.”
@megankhenry
