Hundreds of volunteers will join representatives of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Parsons Avenue Merchants Association and the city of Columbus’ South Side Neighborhood Pride Center for the spring Plant Pride On Parsons litter cleanup and beautification event on Saturday, May 12.  The volunteers will clean litter, remove graffiti and plant flowers in 96 hand-painted planters on Parsons Avenue between East Livingston Avenue and State Route 104.  The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Barack Recreation Center, 580 East Woodrow Avenue. 

“Parsons Avenue is the economic business corridor and spine of our city’s South Side,” Mayor Michael B. Coleman said.  “Plant Pride On Parsons is an example of how everyone can work together to lift up Parsons Avenue so it will have a brighter future.”

In addition to Plant Pride On Parsons, the city of Columbus will break ground on a new John Maloney Health and Wellness Center on Parsons Avenue this summer.  This year, the City is also launching a South Side collaborative effort with the private sector and community agencies to build senior housing, fix up existing homes, create workforce development training and develop an early childhood care facility.

"I believe so strongly in the Plant Pride on Parsons project that I have bought a pot of my own to decorate and display," said Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee.   "This is the second year in a row I have participated in the program that builds community awareness of this important economic corridor of our City." 

In the previous four Plant Pride on Parsons events beginning in 2010, 757 volunteers cleaned more than 11 tons of litter and debris, removed graffiti and planted flowers in hand-painted planters. Some of the planters were painted by the Heart of Ohio Tole Painters.

“Plant Pride on Parsons is one of the most creative elements in neighborhood development that I have ever seen,” said Bob Leighty, executive director of PAMA. “We are adding another thirty hand-painted planters bringing the total to 126, twenty of them have specific South Columbus historic themes. That is so cool. The Heart of Ohio Tole Chapter painters designed 123 and students from South High School painted three.”

“The placement of these last twenty historic themed flower pots brings to an end our three-year commitment to Plant Pride on Parsons Avenue.,” said Phyllis Gibbs, a long-time member of the Heart of Ohio Tole Painters. “It has been our pleasure to be part of this award-winning effort to beautify this area of Columbus.”

Plant Pride on Parsons is a collaborative effort between businesses, community agencies, residents and the city of Columbus’ Keep Columbus Beautiful program based in the Department of Public Service.  Plant Pride On Parsons partners and co-sponsors include:

• Parsons Avenue Merchants Association
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• South Side Neighborhood Pride Center
• Area civic organizations
• Fisher’s Green House
• United Way
• The Columbus Foundation
• 200Columbus CHASE Greater Columbus Arts Council Bicentennial Grant
• Heart of Ohio Tole Painters
• Keep America Beautiful

Plant Pride on Parsons is a public-private partnership supported by the sales of planters, specialty calendars, local fund-raisers and grant awards