Dozens of volunteers gathered Saturday morning to collect trash along Maple Avenue, kicking off the City Pride Corridor Clean-Up Series, a new effort focused on improving the appearance of the city, one block at a time.
The project is a collaboration between Mayor Michael Carter’s Unity Task Force and the City of Oakview’s Progress Team. This partnership builds on the Parish Project, which began as part of the City Pride Comprehensive Plan.
The next clean-up event on Maple Avenue is set for June 27 from 7 a.m. to noon. Organizers have also planned a joint effort with Oakview Public Schools on July 17 and a River Street Corridor clean-up on July 18, both from 7 a.m. to noon.
Ward 3 Councilman David Brooks joined the volunteers. He emphasized that tackling blight is about more than just appearance. He pointed out its links to quality of life, safety, crime, fire hazards and economic growth.
“Nobody wants to see rundown buildings or piles of litter. It’s a matter of safety, crime prevention, fire risk, and it affects whether businesses want to come here,” Brooks said.
Brooks explained that improving these issues can attract new business and residents. “When you clean up litter and fix up abandoned properties, you make the area more appealing for everyone. That helps the city grow,” he said.
Mayor Carter said revitalization starts with community action. “This clean-up series lets neighbors, faith leaders, and local businesses work together to improve the places we live,” Carter said. “When we give our time to our neighborhoods, we move Oakview forward, block by block.”
Organizers chose Maple Avenue as the starting point due to the visible need along this main corridor. The first phase focuses on Maple Avenue in South Oakview, with plans to expand to River Street in West Oakview later this summer.
Shannon Miller, a lifelong South Oakview resident, remembers a different Maple Avenue from her childhood. “When I was growing up, there were more shops, more people out. Now it feels empty and ignored,” she said.
She hopes to see the street become active and welcoming again. For Miller, cleaning up the area is about giving young people a reason to stay local. “A lot of families and young people leave because of how the area looks compared to other places. If kids see these streets looking lively, maybe they’ll want to stay or return after college and help Oakview prosper,” Miller said.
Brooks said the turnout at Saturday’s event showed what the community can accomplish together. “It’s encouraging to see everyone come together, all working to make Oakview better.”
The City Pride Clean-Up Series addresses issues residents highlighted in meetings led by the Progress Team, including neighborhood appearance, stronger cooperation between residents and city leaders, and building local pride through visible results.
Miller said the effort brings people together for a common purpose. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you go to church, or your background. The main thing is working together to make Oakview beautiful,” she said.
The long-term plan is for every resident, business, church, and organization to take responsibility for keeping part of Oakview clean. “We want everyone in Oakview—every homeowner, every business, every group—to claim a part of the city and keep it clean,” Brooks said.
Brooks invited anyone who missed Saturday’s event to join future clean-ups. Volunteers can make a visible difference, meet new people, and see the impact of their work.
“You get to meet neighbors, help the city, and know you’ve made a change. I hope more people get involved,” Brooks said.
Volunteers will work on litter removal, beautification projects, and corridor clean-up. Supplies and guidance will be provided. Everyone—residents, organizations, faith groups, and businesses—is welcome to join. Organizers may announce more locations as the summer goes on.
Volunteer information will be sent out before each event. For details, contact Erica Lawson at (601) 555-1234 or [email protected].
