How a community cares for its streetscape and architectural assets is a direct reflection and measurement of its civic pride. The Roswell Historic District is a centerpiece of our community, one of the economic engines that help drive our city’s success.
In 2016, Roswell’s Historic District had good bones but needed a fresher face! Determined to tackle this concern, some Roswell citizens, business/property owners, and volunteers gathered to plan solutions that would enhance the beauty of the heart of our city. From those discussions, the Historic Roswell Beautification Project (HRBP) was formed with the mission to create, maintain, and preserve the beauty and charm of our streets and improve civic pride by completing streetscape projects. HRBP is a nonprofit partner with the city of Roswell and since projects are undertaken within the city right-of-way, HRBP receives some funding from the city's annual budget. Remaining funds come from generous donations.
HRBP is managed by volunteer board members who are all Roswell residents and I have the pleasure of working with these incredible people. Jim Van Epps, a successful financial services entrepreneur actively serving and participating in many worthwhile local and national philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. Joe Skelton, a nationally known professional landscape designer who owned his own landscape design company, and has 30+ years’ experience in landscape design.
In its sixth year, HRBP has completed several streetscape projects: cleaning up the Barrington Hall wall, installing ambient tree lighting in Historic Roswell Square, raising tree canopies, trimming overgrown shrubs, installing pavers to widen and repair the sidewalk, minimizing weeds and trash on Canton Street, East, and West Alley, installing mulch at least once a year in the right-of-way, and more. And, perhaps the most impactful project of all, installing and maintaining 48 flowering hanging baskets and over 25 planters on Canton Street, Heart of Roswell Park, and Historic Roswell Square Park. HRBP volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours pushing a 20-gallon water cart up and down Canton Street to water flowers! Several businesses in the area allow the use of their water, as well as store water carts on their property. City employees assist by watering planters inside the two parks. Without the generosity of donors, support from the city and local businesses, and sweat equity of its volunteers, HRBP could not succeed. This support helps HRBP grow civic pride one project at a time.
HRBProject.com
FB: Historic Roswell Beautification Project
