Letter to the editor: Take pride in Sewickley sidewalks, trees
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As a longtime resident of Sewickley for more than 30 years and a former chamber of commerce president, I’ve always cherished our town’s charm and beauty. Sewickley holds a special place in my heart, and I believe we all must contribute to its appeal and vibrancy.
Lately, I’ve been disheartened by the lack of ownership and pride displayed by some businesses towards their sidewalks and trees. The sight of untamed weeds and overgrown grass around our lovely sidewalk trees sends a dismaying message to locals and visitors alike.
Fortunately, our community has already taken steps to enhance the beauty of our streets with stunning flower dividers on Broad Street and abundant flower baskets lovingly planted and maintained by volunteers. Let’s build on this beauty and extend it to our sidewalk trees.
A thriving community involves businesses actively maintaining their surroundings, as sidewalks and trees create the first impressions of our town. By embracing and caring for our sidewalk trees, we can complete the picture of a vibrant, welcoming Sewickley.
Therefore, I propose the “Branch Out with Pride: Embrace and Care for Your Sidewalk Trees!” initiative. I encourage local businesses to voluntarily groom and beautify their sidewalks and trees. To inspire them, I pledge $100 to any business that takes part in this effort.
This initiative isn’t about singling out or criticizing anyone, but rather encouraging everyone to enhance the beauty of our beloved Sewickley. Let’s foster a sense of community pride and showcase our town’s charm to all who visit.
Together, we can continue making Sewickley a picturesque place to live, work and visit. I invite all business owners to participate in this initiative, demonstrating our collective commitment to maintaining the appeal of our wonderful town.
Let’s unite in taking pride in our sidewalks and trees, creating a more inviting and welcoming environment for everyone. Share this message with fellow residents, businesses, and the entire Sewickley community, and let’s make our town even more beautiful, one sidewalk tree at a time.
Reyne O’Shaughnessy
Sewickley