By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Business owners, garden club members and other assorted volunteers gathered Saturday morning to put a fresh face on downtown Washington.
From planting flowers and pulling weeds, to sweeping and picking up trash, the group worked its muscles during the second-annual Spring Sweep.
It was a nice way to spend a Saturday, according to Scott Campbell, who coordinated the effort.
“The weather was perfect. Everybody had a good time,” he said. “I’m glad that it seems to be a little of a tradition now, because it does make a nice difference downtown.”
Spring Sweep apparently provided the volunteers with quite a workout.
“We probably got about 40 bags of trash again, the same as last year,” Campbell said. “We virtually filled to the brim the city dumpster down at the docks.”
With the thought in mind that Saturday was also the date for Washington High School’s prom at the Washington Civic Center, volunteers made sure to spruce up the facility.
“One area that got particular attention was around the Civic Center, because of the prom,” Campbell said.
Workers gathered the expected array of debris that had accumulated over the winter months. But it wasn’t just a litter pick-up.
“We had a good supply of mulch from the city, so that got spread around the trees on Market and Main streets,” Campbell said. “The garden clubs were busy mulching and planting.”
Saturday’s spring cleaning was hosted by Downtown Washington on the Waterfront, Washington Garden Club, Washington Area Historic Foundation, Pamlico-Tar River Foundation and Century 21/The Realty Group.
The group of volunteers numbered around 30, according to Campbell, and they were supported by local merchants who provided beverages and refreshments to help keep up their strength.