YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Despite having to compete with several community events this weekend, a record number of volunteers are expected to take part in this year’s Streetscape.
More than 1,000 participants have registered for the 28th annual downtown beautification event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Following a breakfast at Penguin City Brewing Co., volunteers will fan out to locations primarily in the downtown area to participate in planting and other beautification activities, then regroup at the taproom midday for lunch.
Other activities taking place Saturday morning include Autism Society of Mahoning Valley’s Mahoning Valley Warrior, an event hosted by Potential Development, and a golf outing to benefit MyPath Mahoning Valley. Also happening this weekend – when high school graduation season is in full swing – are the Rock the Rich Center benefit concert Saturday night and Youngstown Marathon Foundation’s Sole to City Half-Marathon and 2-Mile Run on Sunday.
Sharon Letson, executive director of Youngstown CityScape, said she had believed Streetscape had hit the maximum number of volunteers last year because of the timing of the event, but this year’s registrations exceeded 2024’s numbers.
“This work is really important this year, and the reason it’s so important this year is that we get the message that our downtown is open for business,” Letson said. “This is an opportunity for us to look and feel welcoming in an important way.”
The event is taking place as there are sold-out concerts and First Friday events downtown, and the city now has its downtown outdoor refreshment area – or DORA – in place.
The planting and beautification event draws participation from individuals, businesses and organizations from throughout the Mahoning Valley.
V&V Appliance Parts in Youngstown has been involved with the event for several years, said Amy Best, who works in purchasing at the business. This year, in addition to providing 18 volunteers, the company is a sponsor and donated gift baskets for the event.
“The V&V owners are extremely committed to the community,” she said. “We’re part of the community, and the more it can continue to grow and be better, the more we will.”
The Pinelakers, a 4-H Club based in southern Mahoning County, has 42 registered volunteers for this year’s Streetscape, adviser Mary Kay Shotts said.
“It’s important, even though we don’t live in Youngstown,” Shott remarked.
When she brought up the idea of participating in the downtown Youngstown event years ago, members loved the idea, “and we just stuck with it.”
Kathy Harley, president of Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and a member of CityScape’s board of directors, also stressed the value of the annual event. This year, the hospital, which also is a sponsor, will have 13 volunteers participating.
“It’s another piece of quality, and we are very driven by high quality performance at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and it is imperative that we have it,” she said. “But beautification is also a part of quality, and this is a chance to give back to our community and help it thrive more and look better and be a greater attraction to people.”
In addition, the appearance of the area is a factor as the hospital seeks to attract physicians and “associates of all kinds,” she acknowledged.
“One of the things you look at when you’re looking at an area for the first time is, what does the surrounding area look like,” she said.
Covelli Enterprises in Warren, which operates Panera Bread, O’Charley’s and Dairy Queen restaurants in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, has participated for more than 20 years, according to Danielle Covelli, marketing director. This year the company is the T-shirt sponsor for this year’s event and will have a group of volunteers participating.
“Streetscape is incredibly important to the Mahoning Valley, not only because it revitalizes and beautifies the Youngstown area, but it strengthens the bond of our community,” she said. “It is truly inspiring to see 1,000 volunteers dedicate their time for a common cause. When a community comes together for a good cause, it creates a ripple effect of kindness, hope and lasting impact.”
That so many people are turning out to support the event speaks well for the Valley, Letson said.
CityScape largely has the planting day down to a science but always has to address changing environments downtown. This year will be the first that Streetscape can deal with all of the new planting beds installed as part of the Smart2 network project, which will mean a lot more weeding.
Smart2 also has meant new infrastructure, including a watering system that incorporates Bluetooth technology. In addition, the watering system has sensors to indicate how much watering might be needed.
“If it rains a certain amount, if the beds get a certain amount of saturation, the sprinklers won’t go off,” she said. “So that makes a big difference for us.”
Pictured at top: Sharon Letson, executive director of Youngstown CityScape.