Correspondent photos / John Patrick Gatta . . . John Noga of Youngstown plants petunias during Streetscape Planting Day on Saturday morning. The Youngstown city housing director joined other city workers in beautifying the downtown.

Flower power

YOUNGSTOWN — People quickly form opinions based on their surroundings. Visuals create lasting first impressions. Beautifying areas of Youngstown, particularly its downtown, aims to promote a healthy view for visitors and attract businesses to the area.

“As Youngstown rises and falls, so does all the Mahoning Valley,” John James of Beloit said. “So, the outlying areas, we need to be invested in downtown Youngstown.”

Understanding the positive effects of this approach, more than 800 people volunteered for Youngstown CityScape’s 28th annual Streetscape Planting Day Saturday.

“This day not only engages the community to be part of the planting and weeding and mulching, it engages them to return to the city and support our restaurants, our museums, our university. We want Youngstown to be a welcoming, beautiful place that is thriving,” said Sharon M. Letson, executive director of Youngstown CityScape.

Adding how community interest has made the event grow, she added, “This event started 28 years ago with just a handful of people who cared about what our city looked like. That is because people care about our city and because the volunteers can see their work and the importance of it. Families come and plant on Streetscape Day and then continue to watch as the flowers grow. Our crew maintains everything after this day.”

A combination of plants and a variety of begonias, petunias, zinnias and snapdragons were planted around Youngstown. CityScape acquired them from sources such as Angiuli’s Farm Market and Bob’s Market out of West Virginia as well as some grown in its own greenhouse on the West Side.

Many Youngstown residents took part in the event, but so did those who live in other parts of the Mahoning Valley, western Pennsylvania and students from The Ohio State University.

Jen Nulty of Youngstown planted begonias in an area on Champion Street. She joked that Planting Day got her out of the house but, on a more serious note, she said, “It’s downtown Youngstown. We can help make it look good. It’s part of the community. We can all chip in.”

Although he lives in New Middletown, Steve Horne understands the importance of the downtown. He previously worked there and visited, as a kid, when his dad worked in that area. “I’ve known downtown my whole life.”

In reference to Saturday’s activities, he said, “It’s a great thing to try and beautify downtown Youngstown. We could all use a little bit of color in our life, and it’s great to be down here. It’s a beautiful day. I’ve been doing this for 18 years and love it every year.”

Not only did Horne attend with his family, 10 of his HBK CPAs & Consultants employees joined him.

Jan Harvey, president of Ridgewood Garden Club of Boardman, said this is the first year that nine members of her organization officially participated.

“Some of our Garden Club members came down last year, just on their own, and they said what a great event it was. So, we opened it up to the rest of the members. We decided we’d like to help out,” Harvey said.

She explained the reason behind why the group spent its Saturday morning doing this.

“We like gardening and if Youngstown looks good, we all look good,” she said.

Sydney Stalnecker of New Wilmington, Pa., had the largest group put together by an individual at Planting Day. She received her graduate and master’s degrees from Youngstown State University and taught at the university for the past two years. Stalnecker also worked at 21 WFMJ-TV’s downtown studios.

This year marks the second time that she organized a group, which included childhood friends, for the event.

“It’s a way for me to connect with people I haven’t seen in years. It’s also a way for them to meet new people too and just come out and have a good time,” Stalnecker said.

In gratitude for the volunteers’ efforts a continental breakfast was offered prior to the planting, and a full lunch afterward. The post-planting event featured food from numerous local restaurants — Casa di Canzonetta, Cassese’s MVR, V2 Wine Bar and Trattoria by Vernon’s, The Mocha House, WEST 34, Daddy D’s BBQ, The Federal, Youngstown BBQ Company, YOSTERIA, Dalia’s Caribbean Kitchen, Pizza Joe’s, Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers, Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, Fresh Wind Catering, Gallagher’s Lunch Bucket and Valley Food Systems.

Also, more than a dozen baskets and gift certificates were raffled off and given to those who helped.

Both meals were hosted by Penguin City Brewing Company.

“We’ve always seen our space as more than just a brewery. It’s a community hub,” said Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner of Penguin City Brewing Company.

She added, “The idea of planting flowers throughout downtown, especially as (the event) celebrates 28 years, is a beautiful tradition that brings life, pride and color to the heart of Youngstown, and we’re honored to play even a small part in that.”