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Highlands Today

Lake Placid Alley Projects

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Lyn Connolly

Published: August 13, 2008

We have concluded our two alley renovations between Pine and Oak avenues and they have been transformed from overgrown dumpsites, laden with hazardous debris, to beautiful alternative pathways for pedestrians and police patrolling. The transition involved over 50 hours of hard labor.
Special thanks to Kyle, Reggie, Arthur, Mom, Dennis and the guys, and all of the neighbors and friends who participated.

An amazing array of discarded objects was unearthed. Aside from bottles, cans and broken glass, there were hundreds of rusted nails, enough to build a house, said one volunteer. There were also shingles, rotted lumber, bicycle parts, forks, tools, concrete; so much junk! Digging, raking, bagging, sweating, it all got hauled away.

Bushes, vines and weeds were whacked. Trees were removed and overhanging limbs cut back. We now have grass covered, shotgun pathways that have unobstructed visibility from block to block: clear, clean and safe.

Thank you Mr. Fulton, Mr. Westcott and your department staff for picking all that stuff up and for providing us with fill and maintenance. Donating the five unused street poles to your department is our pleasure!

School begins next week and the alleys are ready for children walking and bike riding to be safely off the roads.

I'd like to express gratitude to Ms. Patty Young from the Department of Juvenile Justice for our win-win joint venture and to Ms. Jackie Wilson, 911 coordinator, for taking the time to come down from Sebring to tour the alleys, and for her encouragement and constructive advice. What started as a great idea has become reality and I am so proud.

Mayor Katsanis, your heart was in this project all the way, from beginning to end. Thank you so very much.

Lyn Connolly
Lake Placid

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