The Island Beautification Committee was established 26 years ago. The Committee serves our island community by promoting interest and involvement in beautification projects. The Committee is a hands-on, low budget, action group that strives to make a noticeable difference. Greater community pride is the result. Litter abatement and the remediation of eyesores are two of the focal activities. Landscape projects including tree, shrub, flower and grass plantings and their maintenance are some other examples of Committee involvement.
The Committee also responds to requests for review, comments, recommendations and involvement relating to projects submitted by the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees.
The two entryway signs, one on Grosse Ile Parkway and the other at the southeast corner of Meridian and Bridge Road, were installed in December 1991. The Island Beautification Committee has cared for the signs and the sites over the ten years of their existence. In late May the IBC moved the north entry sign 6 ½ feet in a south east direction to make way for the bike path.
The northwest corner continues to be under the care of the Island Beautification committee except for the grass cutting, which is performed by paid Township personnel.
The southwest corner landscape was planted to the near design likeness of the northwest corner in November 2000. Foliage Concepts did the planting. The Island Beautification Committee planted tulip and daffodil bulbs and will maintain the corner the same as the northwest corner.
The IBC conducted the 20th Annual Backyard Wild Life Survey on April 9, 2000. Ten resident volunteers whose homes are located in scattered areas around the island participated. During the designated one-hour observation period they reported seeing 38 different species of birds and mammals. In 2000, 653 birds and 77 mammals were counted. This is not a statistically reliable survey but it does provide an indication of trends. Weather conditions are an important variable affecting sightings.
Members of the IBC conduct a two-hour litter abatement pick-up about twice per month, weather permitting. Areas that are most in need of litter removal are targeted for this special effort. The bike path routes are frequent targets.
The IBC continues to oversee the maintenance of the flower beds, which were made with the involvement of students, teachers, parents and IBC members. The Meridian School flower bed is three years old and the Middle School bed is one year old.
Memorial Garden – Grosse Ile Airport/Administration Office Site Flower
Beds
The IBC has accepted an invitation from the Township Board of Trustees to work
with the Grosse Ile Garden Club to develop and maintain a memorial garden on
the south side (fenced area) of the new Township Administration Offices. This
will be a labor of love, tax-free. All expenditures will be donations.
On September 24, 2000 the IBC hosted a reception at the Customs House in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Committee. All former Committee members were invited. Some returned to Grosse Ile from far and wide to attend the event.
The IBC distributed free seedlings (100 flowering white dogwood and 100 Austrian pine) at the IslandFest on June 3, 2000.
The IBC participated in teaching and supervising seven Tiger Scouts in planting seven white dogwood trees in the Nature Center at the south end of the Grosse Ile Airport. The IBC donated the seedlings. The project was conducted so the scouts could earn a Discover Nature and Energy badge.
The IBC purchased and painted thirty 35 gallon used steel drums to be used as litter barrels around the island. Twenty-one barrels have been placed. This is a continuation of the project initiated about twenty years ago to discourage discarding litter along the roadways and bridges.
2000-2001 Annual Report
Printed from Grosse Ile Online
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