Downtown Safe, Clean & Green
Enhancing the Charm & Vitality of Historic Downtown Scranton
"It's important for people who live and work in the city to develop a sense of pride, and beautification is one of the ways you can do that. It's really key."
- Michael Gilmartin, Board Chairperson
Ambassador Program
The Downtown Scranton Safe, Clean & Green Ambassador Program plays an important role in fulfilling Scranton Tomorrow’s mission as the organization takes steps toward formalizing a Business Improvement District, and plans to develop a pocket park on the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Linden Street.
Ambassadors work in conjunction with members of the Safe, Clean & Green Committee and community partners to ensure the Downtown Business District is welcoming and well-maintained. Together, they’re making a difference by:
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Maintaining clean sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the business district;
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Promoting recycling;
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Removing litter and graffiti;
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Hosting seasonal plantings to enhance the Downtown landscape;
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Participating in public art projects; and
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Promoting goodwill among business owners, property owners, and visitors to the Downtown.
To learn more about the Ambassador Program, and how you can help at any upcoming Safe, Clean & Green event, follow us on Facebook, or email Steve Ward, Ambassador Team Leader.
New Growth
A few examples of projects and initiatives that support economic growth, and enhance the Downtown Business District and neighboring communities include:
Pocket Park
In partnership with the City of Scranton and Lackawanna County, Scranton Tomorrow is developing a pocket park to enhance the Downtown Business District with much-needed greenspace.
Located on the corner of Linden Street and Wyoming Avenue on a dilapidated, vacant lot, the park will enhance a historic area in the downtown. The site is adjacent to St. Peter's Cathedral, the William J. Nealon Federal Courthouse and Post Office, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and a memorial garden.
Designed with the community in mind, the new greenspace will feature tables and benches ideal for lunch breaks, a small event space, and play areas for children. The park will be landscaped with trees and shrubbery, pavers, planted areas and tree boxes, highlighting the natural beauty of the region.
The project is made possible through a $400,000 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Keystone Community grant. Be sure to follow our progress on Facebook.
Thousands of Flowers
In partnership with Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County, Safe, Clean & Green volunteers work diligently to keep the Downtown beautiful. Through 2019, 3,000 volunteers contributed nearly 10,000 hours of their time to plant more than 75,000 seasonal flowers in more than 100 new planters in the Downtown Scranton Business District. Older fixtures have been replaced with new, self-watering planters featuring a water reservoir to keep flowers hydrated for up to six weeks. More planters will be added this season.
Among the community partners who donate their time and talents to support Safe, Clean & Green projects are: 4-H, City of Scranton, Girl Scouts in the heart of Pennsylvania, Lackawanna College, Lackawanna County, PennDOT, Scranton School District, and The University of Scranton.
150 Trees in City Parks
In honor of Scranton's 150th Anniversary in 2016, former Mayor David Wenzel and Joseph Riccardo launched an initiative to plant 150 trees in city parks and public spaces. The project was made possible through the support of Pennsylvania Department of Conservation andNatural Resources (PA DCNR) and Scranton Area Foundation.
Mulberry Islands
In an effort to make a great first impression on those entering the city via Mulberry Street, Scranton Tomorrow spearheaded a maintenance program for the Mulberry Islands — the green space along this important thoroughfare. With support from Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County and community volunteers, including NET Credit Union, we’re diligently working to improve our city’s gateway. Following the initial site clean-up, the group hosts quarterly maintenance sessions to keep the area clean, safe and green.
