Sullivan County, NY – Four seasonal communities in Monticello, Woodridge and Liberty are improving the appearance of their properties this summer as part of a Sullivan Renaissance program that helps fund demonstration projects. The program awards up to $2500 in matching grants for beautification projects that demonstrate best practices for other seasonal properties throughout Sullivan County.
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Eligible projects include: fixing up entranceways and gates, planting flower gardens or other landscaping, removal of old structures and cleaning up dump sites, replacing fencing or upgrading signage. Improvements are made in areas visible to the public.
Far Site Bungalows on Route 17B in Monticello is returning to continue work on an entryway project. Last season the bungalow colony partnered with Sullivan Renaissance to begin improving the property visible from the highway. This summer the colony will plant more flowers, shrubs and trees, and will replace a section of old fencing along the roadside.
Regency Estates, a seasonal second home community in Woodridge, is replacing a long expanse of chain-link fence with a modern, yet classic looking wood fence, and planting an array of colorful flowers in front of the fence along the road. Last season the community replaced old fencing and a corroded gate by constructing a stone wall with new gate, signage and shrubbery.
Whispering Woods, another second-home community in Woodridge, will replace its old sign and landscape the adjacent area and plant a colorful array of flowers. The community is new to the program.
Camp Shomria in Liberty has two projects. The first will improve old signage, and include landscaping and flowers at the entrance on Lake Marie Road. The second project will plant a vegetable garden to be used in meal preparation as a demonstration to campers about how to tend and grow a garden, and to help them understand where food actually comes from.
“Demonstration projects like these are an example to other seasonal communities. Simple landscaping and inexpensive improvements make properties look better and are easy to do,” said Sullivan Renaissance Community Organizer Richard Sush.
Sush pointed to Lipkowitz Bungalows on Old Route 17 in Ferndale which replaced its sign, surrounded it with incredible flowers, planted large trees, and did some other tasteful landscaping. Although not a participant in this program, Sullivan Renaissance recognized the colony with a Sullivan Renaissance Achievement Award. “Just like the year-round residents, the appearance of our seasonal community is improving. As more groups participate in the program and are inspired to work on their own, we are seeing real results,” said Sush.
Sullivan Renaissance seasonal beautification activities include:
– Mini-grants awarded to summer communities
– A hands-on workshop on gardening basics in July
– Publishing the “Building Seasonal Partnerships” brochure for area camps and colonies with the support of Thompson Sanitation
– Participating in Sullivan County’s “Building Better Relations with Summer Residents” Committee
– Attending the Jewish Camp Expo and Conference in Brooklyn on March 23
Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. Additional funding has been secured by NYS Senator John J. Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther. Sponsorships have also been provided by WSUL/WVOS for Category A projects and by Thunder 102 for Category B projects.
For information about Sullivan Renaissance, contact 845-295-2445 or www.sullivanrenaissance.org.
You mean the country won’t look like a dump anymore? This actually might be great news. Now if someone can just do something about rt 17 so when I go up on Thursday nights I don’t have to drive for 6 hours.
Alan Gerry is a “REAL” tzaddik. although he doesn’t dress like youand me, he DOES go to shul ( in Liberty ) and is a BIG ball Tzedakah. He cares about his fellow man ( call him liberal ) and backs it up with his money. Yes, he spent $250 of his money ( don’t begrudge him ) to beautify and rebuild the Bethel Woodstock site, so that all can enjoy it.
Ps He was the cable guy that did Grossingers, ( or are you too frum to remember Mama Grossinger )and eventually started cablevison which he sold to Time Warner for $1.7 Billion. Yes a yidishe kup.