By Jim Luke  

On behalf of the City of Picayune, I would like to share a few updates concerning our beautification efforts throughout the City.
The City Beautification team does an exceptional job making our city look beautiful on a very small budget. The Beautification team has put together a 5-year plan for the city of Picayune.
Part of the beautification plan is to install flowerbeds in the chevron (end-cap) areas of Goodyear Boulevard median parking area by City Hall. This new bedding will take place near the intersection of Quince and Rester streets. We will not be eliminating any parking spaces.
The bedding will be bordered within the yellow border stripes with concrete landscape curbing. The plants will be transplanted from our public works department greenhouse, where they have been grown from seedlings by the Beautification team. The flowers will compliment the spring/summer crops planned for the entire City Hall area.
In another effort to move the City beautification plan forward, they will be landscaping the island at the intersection of Highway 11 and Fourth Street. The 800 bulbs that will be used in this area were donated by the Mississippi Urban Forestry Commission.
Thanks to the creative work of our Beautification team and our expanding greenhouse program we are able to grow our own flowers and have the City look beautiful at a reduced cost. I would like to thank you, our community, for all the many calls praising our City beautification efforts.
Crosby Commons is moving along and should be near completion by the end of July.
We are very thankful for the partnership between the city, the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation on the transformation and development of this historic space.
Folks are utilizing this 1/3 mile track at all hours of the day. Soon, everyone will be excited to see the new ornate lights installed around the track. The lights will allow for citizens to safely walk/run after sunset.
Signs are also being installed around the track and at the entrances that provide helpful information. Signs are displaying the length of the track, no bikes, skateboards, scooters or skates allowed on the track, and if you bring your dog the new signs remind you to keep them on a leash and pick up after them.
Dog waste stations have been installed near the Goodyear Boulevard entrance to Crosby Commons and the back entrance at Sixth Avenue. These waste stations are being installed for your convenience. We ask that you kindly respect the environment and clean up after your dog. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the park.
There have been many calls received by City Hall asking about purchasing a bench, tree, shrub, or flowerbed for the park in memory or in honor of a loved one. If you are interested in making a donation or purchase, please contact our Public Works Department for details, 601-799-0602.