The first step toward beautifying Main Street is in place
Main Street will be the recipient of a much-needed facelift. The Main Street Makeover will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will meet at the Pfeiffer Community Center on the corner of Main Street and Blue Bell Road.
Activities include putting together and hanging more than 80 plants on the light posts, putting together more than 100 large pot planters with plants and small trees, trimming the curbs and sidewalks, painting curbs, landscaping the lot of the old library, landscaping the street along the Pfeiffer parking lot and Hoffer House, decorating the street strategically with pot plants and painting where needed.
“We want to make it a fun day,” Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Bonder said. “We want to show the passion for Monroe. We’re not trying to be anybody else but a better Monroe, put a better light of who we are out there.”
Bonder added his team is looking for upward of 70 volunteers for the day to run as effectively as possible. He said there will be something for everybody to do. He added snacks and music will be provided.
“Painters, planters, people to hand out supplies, young and old,” Bonder said. “Kids that need service hours can get service hours.”
The biggest takeaway from the planned makeover is to give a better first impression of the town.
“This is the face of the town,” Bonder said. “We want to put a nice face together. This is the first impression of Monroe to most people. For people looking to move here or build a business here, we want to have a better first impression. You only get one first impression.”
With the close proximity to the beaches, Philadelphia and even New York, Bonder believes that sprucing up the face of the town could go a long way with improving the culture of the town.
Bonder went on to mention the planned makeover is the first step and there are other things to come for Main Street.
“This is the start, then we have some secondary, called phase two plans,” he said. “Including building an archway over the road and having a clock tower. This is a whole makeover and facelift that we’re looking to do on Main Street.”
While adding a clock tower and archway over Main Street will make the downtown area much more beautiful, the makeover on the 27th is the first step in the process.
“I’m a big believer in doing the little things,” he said. “If you do the little things the big things take care of themselves.”
Bonder mentioned they aren’t picky when it comes to volunteers. While it would be great if they could stay from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., he mentioned that even if someone could only come for a few hours that would be OK too.
“Just bring yourselves,” Bonder said. “We’ll take care of everything else. If you have a particular skill just let us know.”
Pride is a word that Bonder used a lot when describing this project. Pride is coming out and volunteering time for the community’s benefit. He added township directors will be there volunteering their time.
Those looking to volunteer can find more information on the Main Street Makeover Facebook page. From there they can sign up on the Google sheet.
“This is long overdue,” Bonder added. “Timing isn’t the greatest, but better late than never.”
