State-Journal.com - Beautification plans get underway

Photo By State Journal/Hilly Schiffer Morris Burton, Marcia Burton and Ken Moore clear brush around a rock fence at the corner of Country Lane and Versailles Road as part of the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist and Convention Commission’s Frankfort Beautification Project Wednesday morning. The wall was completely surrounded by plants and unable to be viewed from the road. The effort is to help improve areas along major roadways before the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Photo By State Journal/Hilly Schiffer Ken Moore uses a chain saw to clear brush around a rock fence.For more than a year the Frankfort Beautification Committee has surveyed local streets and thoroughfares, brainstorming ways to make Frankfort more beautiful. The committee is looking for volunteers to help complete projects around town.

When it was announced that the World Equestrian Games were coming to Kentucky, several formed a committee to spruce up Frankfort.

Dick Bell and Robin Antenucci were among the 10 or so who gathered Wednesday at Country Lane and Versailles Road to kick off the first project.

They focused on clearing brush, chopping limbs and pulling weeds to expose an old rock wall and there will be another session for planting, Bell said.

He anticipates the project will be finished by the end of May.

Carole Kruse, secretary of the Country Lane Estates Homeowners Association, came with gardening gloves and shears.

“This is the first - and probably the biggest - project we’ll take on,” she said. “I’m really glad people are working together. It makes things easier.”

Ken Moore was the first to arrive.

“I’m just a mule today,” he said. “But as long as I’m here and able, I’ll help out.”

For more than a year the committee - officially called the Frankfort Beautification Committee - has surveyed local streets and thoroughfares, brainstorming ways to make Frankfort more beautiful. Now they need volunteers.

Committee chairwoman Kim Cowherd said the goal is to not only prepare for the influx of tourists, but also to keep Frankfort beautiful.

Antenucci admits that it’s a “major undertaking. “The (equestrian) games will come and go, but we have to live here forever.”

They’re requesting that everyone get involved and are developing an award system through which local businesses and organizations will be recognized for their efforts.

The intersection of highways 60, 421 and 460, the Capital Avenue Bridge and the St. Clair Mall are a few sites that need beautifying, Cowherd said. “There are tons of projects. People need to just look around.”

A variety of native plants will be started at various locations, including goldenrod, come flower, viburnum (a shrub) and service berry trees.

These will serve as “signature plants,” and help Frankfort’s exterior reflect its interior beauty, Cowherd said.

Bell selected these plants for their easy maintenance and drought resistance. Permanent trees and shrubs will be planted when the committee reunites for the second session at Country Lane.

He said the project also includes plans for attractive signage to conceal electrical fixtures.

“I met with the Transportation Cabinet and Columbia Gas yesterday,” he said. “We’ll have to follow their rules and restrictions, but we’ll get it done.”

2.	Posted by spacestation50 April 23, 2009
	i think the city should start not at the country club, but more around the comminity. i have live in frankfort since 1988, and it sadden me to drive around to see that some one didnt want the bag that their mcdonalds, or the box the 12 pack came in, and unload in out in the streets. i live on a dead end street, and right across the street is a huge honeysuckle bush, no my fault it is a trash can, or so they think. maybe i should cross the street and cut it down, and place a 55 gallon drum there? i see it every where in frankfort, some needs to get the message across, you just threw trash out in "your home town". just saying it ****** me off, and buy no means am i saying that i am like the greatest citizen of frankfort. just saying lets take pride in where we live. country club, nice golf course, i really do have a hard time with the 10 hole. and i am glad some one is starting to look around. GREAT CITY.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!