For years, the lower end of William Street was a mess. A wild assortment of brush and trash spilled out from the city-owned property onto the sidewalk, making pedestrian use nearly impossible. Because it wasn't designated as a park, the City had no particular responsibility for maintaining it, but no one in the neighborhood liked it. William Street resident John Taylor, III, decided to take it on, and, working mostly on his own, cut back the brush, removed the trash, and gradually began planting grass and plants. Now, several years later, the area looks like a well-tended park. With help from some of his neighbors, John continues to maintain the area on a voluntary basis, turning an eyesore into an asset. Click here to see photos of the Bank Street Neighborhood clean-up project. For more information about ways anyone can help beautify the City, contact Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Perry Long at 508-676-0324.

(Top row, left) John points out where brush and trash used to push out onto the sidewalk, making walking difficult and creating an eyesore. (Top row, center and right) John rakes up the grass that he regularly mows and tends to some of the flowers and holiday displays he's created throughout the area. (Bottom row, center and right) John points out an old paving stone that he found near the property that still shows some of the grooves made by the wagon wheels that once traveled along the street.