More than 60 volunteers came together on May 4 to create the largest painted street in Rhode Island, as well as to add more greenery to Upper South Providence. The event was Trinity Square Together’s Care for the Square. You can see the finished project in this fantastic aerial footage, courtesy of The Avenue Concept.
Trinity Square Together includes residents, neighbors and organizations located in the historic district, including SCLT, Amos House, Groundwork RI, Renaissance Church, Southside Cultural Center, Salvation Army and The Avenue Concept.
Students from RISD lent their ideas and talents in the months leading up to and during the event. Laura Briggs, who teaches architecture at RISD, approached SCLT last winter about involving her students in a large community service project. SCLT staff and Trinity Square facilitator Debbie Schimberg suggested incorporating their creative ideas and energy in planning and executing the spring Care for the Square cleanup. Yarrow Thorne of The Avenue Concept, whose mission is to utilize public art as a catalyst for positive impact, also offered his resources.
Their contributions can be seen in the large, colorful dots on the intersection of Somerset and Hayward Streets where our youth farm is located. RISD students built and installed several sidewalk garden planters on Hayward Street behind the Salvation Army, including one with a storm water catchment. Volunteers also cleaned up the Grace Church Cemetery and planted street trees, with help from the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program and Providence’s City Forester, Doug Still.
To learn about upcoming events and other projects Trinity Square Together has undertaken to make the neighborhood healthier and more vibrant, check out their Facebook page.
– Jazandra Barros, SCLT Community Outreach Coordinator
