Florida residents urged to join community clean-up initiative
A Florida resident spearheads an effort to revive neglected neighbourhood spaces and build community pride.
A Florida resident is calling on community members to unite in an effort to reclaim and beautify neglected parts of the suburb through a new clean-up initiative.
Chris Cryan is encouraging residents living between 4th Avenue and Donovan McDonald Street, as well as from Rail to Goldman streets, to get involved and support the project.
According to Cryan, the long-term vision is to establish a residents’ association that will actively contribute to improving the area.
“The initiative is to give back to the community that we are living in. Most of these parts are neglected and forgotten,” he said.
Having lived in Florida for many years and previously serving as a member of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), Cryan said it is disheartening to witness the deterioration of the neighbourhood where he grew up.
His first clean-up took place on May 28 along 7th Avenue near Florida Primary School. Armed with spades, gloves and brooms, volunteers collected litter, cleaned kerbs and swept pavements in an effort to restore pride in the area.
Also read: Small hands, big change in community clean-up
The initiative received support from members of the KCCC Foundation, residents and Rodney Churchyard of the Florida South Residents Association.
“The clean-up here is also about giving back to the school and improving the appearance of this section of the road,” said Cryan.
Although still in its planning stages, the initiative aims to grow into a sustainable community-driven project, and Cryan is inviting residents to contribute ideas and become actively involved.
“I must emphasise that we cannot do it alone – we need residents to come on board,” he said.
Cryan also expressed his gratitude to Pikitup for providing refuse bags used during the clean-up.
Also read: FSRA clean-ups in jeopardy
He hopes the initiative will inspire more residents to take ownership of their surroundings and work together to create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming community for all.
For more information on this upcoming clean-up initiative, contact Cryan on 073 351 4447.
