Beautification Efforts Make The Difference In Our Communities

Ever drive through a city and get the feeling upon entering the city limits that citizens there value beauty and serenity? It's easily found in some Florida communities, and almost impossible to find in too many others. In Highlands County, we have a mixed bag when it comes to aesthetics. The good news is that some folks are considering ways to improve on what we have.

Sebring CRA is considering new curbing and landscaping to make an already nice area into a beautiful place for residents and visitors. We applaud them for this effort. It will be time and money well spent for everyone.

The CRA is considering getting rid of some trees that people find unattractive and replace them with palm trees or something else that will bring even more charm to the downtown area. Sebring has the perfect downtown to turn into a showplace, and there's already plenty to like. With the right improvements in landscaping, curbing and other fixtures, the sky's the limit.

Avon Park also is working to beautify its downtown area and Lake Placid has done a great job with just about everything, especially its murals and other appealing attributes. But even with all this, there is so much more that can be done.

Besides our cities' downtown cores, the main thoroughfare - U.S. 27 - could have many improvements that greatly enhance this area. It's where visitors form their first opinions of our communities, and it's also where residents spend a lot of their time. It only makes sense that major projects are needed to beautify U.S. 27.

The value in beautification is incalculable. Sure, you can throw out numbers that an attractive city will bring in more jobs and revenue, but aesthetic value is something impossible to measure. That's found in how citizens feel about their communities. Are they proud of where they live? Does the community's pride show through by making their city look great and feel comfortable?

A lot of this has to do with developments along U.S. 27 as well. Businesses shouldn't be allowed to lay down a sea of asphalt for parking without adequately providing quality landscaping. We must demand high standards for new businesses, and, if possible, convince existing businesses to do more to make our area beautiful.

It's amazing what a community's garden club can accomplish by planting and maintaining beautiful blooms throughout the downtown, and in other crucial areas. Perhaps local governments can partner with service organizations or even employees from local businesses to tackle specific projects.

Residents here would be amazed at how our county could transform if enough people got behind it with the backing of groups like the CRA and others.