Make a Difference Day was celebrated Saturday with gusto by the Keep Temple Beautiful organization that aims to improve medians along key areas in the city to make it more pleasant to residents and visitors.
Earlier they sat down with city officials and others in the community to brainstorm ideas for improving the medians. The result was a plan in which the city agreed to install irrigation in Canyon Creek and Fifth Street medians over a two-year period.
Tanya Gray was appointed executive director of Keep Temple Beautiful just a few months ago and was overwhelmed by the support she received, not only from residents and the city but from surrounding cities.
“Master Gardeners helped in the design and choosing of the plants,” Gray said. “The city worked with us ensuring we had irrigation and chose plants and trees that would not distract drivers - just beautify the city.
“I don’t know where to start with volunteers. We have had so many. The Salvation Army is here, we have teenagers working. People from Community Gardens also volunteered, Scott & White have about 10 staff members here. I am just amazed at the wonderful people in our area,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Gray said, that there were more than 100 people working.
“Temple Fire and Rescue also helped the project by supplying coolers for the drinks. “I just asked and they are here. That’s great when city departments are so willing to help.”
City Parks and Leisure trucks littered the roadway with staff helping in anyway they could.
Lt. Rick Ashe from Temple Police Department stopped by to make sure everything was going well and offer some safety and security tips to organizers.
“The people in this city really do care,” Gray said. “That is very obvious by these people,” she said.
All funds raised for the project were donated mainly by businesses and landowners along the street.
Zoe Rascoe, vice-chair of the group said that hopefully everyone in Temple would benefit from the improvements. “I hope we are raising the bar. This is what Temple residents should expect when they come into the area. I also hope that developers will see this and take an extra step rather than just planting the minimum required by the city,” Rascoe said.
“I like the sandstone boulders at the end of each median,” she said. “We often see limestone in this area so the sandstone is a nice change and came from a nearby county.”
If you are interested in volunteering with Keep Temple Beautiful please call Tanya Gray at 254-493-4000 to register. The next project will be on Nov. 15, Texas Recycle Day combined with No Butts About It Day to hopefully eradicate the accumulation of cigarette butts in our city.
