Make a Difference Day Big Success for York Neighborhood

Bellingham’s annual Make a Difference Day was the most successful to date for the York neighborhood.

More than 70 volunteers from around the community and neighborhood, as well as students from Western Washington University, gathered at Franklin Park on Saturday, Oct. 23. to install new plants around the park. The turnout was the highest to date, said Helen Jackson, chair of the Franklin Park improvement committee.

“It was a tremendous success in every way,” said Jackson. “The energy that was brought to the park is left there to linger.”

More than 700 Pacific Northwest native plants were added to the existing landscape. The park was divided into six different areas and Jackson assigned different people to each area.

Organization and management made this the best Make a Difference Day because we learn what to do and not to do after each year, Jackson said.

Western journalism student, Brittany Cleary attended the Make a Difference Day as part of a community service project for school.

“Our group alone planted over 102 plants, and our group only consisted of five of us.” Cleary said.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation donated the most expensive plants to the park, about 100, but the Franklin Park Improvement Committee purchased the rest.

In addition to the committee’s and Parks and Recreations donation, a private family donated $1,000 toward the plants in remembrance of their deceased son.

The improvement process is an ongoing project. Franklin Park is one of two parks in the York neighborhood, so it is a priority for the residents to keep it clean and in good use.

The neighborhood has a monthly work party to help clean up the park that lasts about three hours. While planting many plants on this make a difference day was successful, the volunteers had to work hard to remove overgrown exiting plants, blackberry bushes and mulch areas to prevent weed growth.

This day was so successful because of the amount and variety of people who came to volunteer their time, Jackson said.

Rudy’s Pizza not only donated 10 pizzas but also came in early, before they opened to make them in time for the event. Also, Starbucks donated coffee for all the volunteers.

To get more information on Franklin Park and dates of upcoming work parties, visit www.yorkneighborhood.org.