Local citizens working to “beautify” Rainy River

Ken Johnston
Editor

Fifteen citizens met for the third time last Thursday evening at the Rainy River Activity depot to discuss ways to “beautify” Rainy River.
“We really want to bring the community back up to how it was during the centennial (2004),” explained town councillor and committee chair Debbie Ewald.
The committee has identified several ways it can achieve its goals. The first one discussed at the meeting was the purchase of hanging flower baskets. The approximate cost would be about $1,300. A spring clean up day is being planned for the community on May 11th to begin at Hannam Park at 4 p.m. with a barbecue to follow for all who volunteer.
Councillor Ewald noted that the prebudget meetings for the town have approximately $10,000 slated for work at the park. “Plans to stain the fence, paint the service building and do some brick work are in the works,” explained Coucillor Gerry Marchuk.
In a further effort to beautify the town, council has decided to waive tipping fees at the local dump from May 13-27 for all Rainy River residents.
Two areas that the committee members felt could use specialized committees were the park and the cemetery. Gord Armstrong suggested a voluntary parks committee be started and others present said a Friends of the Cemetery committee could be restarted. It did exist for a while seeing things like memorial benches being put in place.
Several programs were raised like Fort Frances’ project petunia and Green Streets Canada. It was also suggested that the horticultural society be revived in hopes of raising funds that way.
Donation cans will also be put out for the beautification committee marked “Bucks for Blossoms.”
The committee is also hopeful that the RR Fire Dept. will give the hydrants a fresh coat of paint.
Kristine Brown is working on updating the town’s pole banners and showed everyone present what will be done to them.