The Cupertino Courier
News
Cupertino mayor leads beautification program
By Cody Kraatz
Mayor Kris Wang expects the unifying power of a common goal--a more attractive neighborhood--to get citizens chatting and nurturing their residential roots.
On March 17, residents are invited to help spruce up Memorial Park and the Cupertino Senior Center with colorful groundcover. Wang thinks her new beautification program, which she announced in her State of the City address in January, can sow the seeds of cooperation and community pride.
"The city has had enough divisive issues. This year I'd like to reunite the community," said Wang.
Volunteers will put in drought-resistant, low-maintenance plants along Stevens Creek Boulevard by the senior center and the park's sign. All the plants are donated by Yamagami's Nursery on De Anza Boulevard.
Residents can also get plants, compost and tools from the city by e-mailing a note of interest and list of participants to beautifycupertino@gmail.com by March 3.
Wang said she wants to make it easy for people to make their front yards and nearby parks more attractive.
Anyone with landscaping expertise is especially encouraged to lend his or her knowledge, said Angela Tsai, who is managing the program under Wang's direction. Gloves and tools will be provided.
Most of the volunteer labor will come from service clubs at Cupertino, Homestead and Monta Vista high schools, said Tsai.
"They're all very excited about it and they're quite large. I think it's a great way for them to get involved," said Tsai. "We definitely want everybody out there. I think it will be fun to have a day like this out in the sun."
Wang plans to have one beautification day each month. Cleanup projects in the future will probably focus on Blackberry Farm and the San Tomas Aquino trailhead at Bollinger Road and Lawrence Expressway, Tsai said.
Sign-in for the Memorial Park planting will start at 7:30 a.m. on March 17 at the Cupertino Senior Citizen Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Blvd. To sign up, request materials or for more information, contact Angela Tsai at beautify cupertino@gmail.com or 408.838.6907.
