The month of activities throughout May will focus on preserving and beautifying the City’s existing green space, cleaning up residential neighborhoods and encouraging the planting of trees on both public and private property.
The overall effort is multifaceted in that it will help increase the tree canopy as well as encourage residents to take pride in keeping the City clean and green. Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said the efforts come at a perfect time of year to promote beautifying residential property.
“One of the many reason I love living in Sterling Heights is the pride residents here take in the appearance of their property,” Taylor said. “Sterling Pride Month enhances the City’s efforts to encourage spring cleaning by promoting discounts on tree purchases, offering a drop-off place for unwanted household items and other meaningful activities.”
Activities
Adopt-A-Road Clean Up — May 2
The Beautification Commission will be hosting an “Adopt-A-Road” cleanup at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 2 along Dodge Park Road from 17 Mile to 16 Mile and in and around Dodge Park and the City Campus. The City would also like to encourage this day as a day other groups in the area can clean up residential roads and parks in their neighborhood.
Pride and Shine Day — May 7
The City of Sterling Heights’ spring Pride & Shine day will be held on Saturday, May 7. Volunteers will meet at 9:30 a.m. at First Church of Sterling Heights, 39400 Dequindre Road and will be assigned to help cleanup residential properties in need of assistance. The program is aimed at protecting property values by encouraging all residents to maintain their homes and make their properties “shine” during summer months. This day will also begin a sign removal blitz kick-off by Code Enforcement to remove signs placed in the right-of-way. Volunteers interested in joining the effort can call Community Relations at (586) 446-2470.
Clean-Up Saturdays — May 7, 14, 21, 28
The Department of Public Works will host Clean-Up Saturdays every Saturday in May from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their facility located at 7200 18 Mile Road. Residents can bring by and drop off any items they wish to dispose of without restriction. This includes but is not limited to: tires, paint, old furniture, lumber, loose lawn clippings, household hazardous waste items (motor oil, pesticides, drain cleaner), dirt and much more. A full list of items is available at www.sterling-heights.net/sterlingpride. This is in an effort to encourage residents to clean out their garages, basements, backyards and any other area for a fresh start to spring. These special neighborhood cleanup days, taking place on each Saturday in May, offer residents the opportunity to dispose of trash in a convenient way. The City is asking residents to participate by sprucing up their properties and disposing of trash and debris.
Plant Exchange — May 14
The Sterling Heights Beautification Commission will host its annual Plant Exchange from 10 a.m. to Noon on May 14 at the Nature Center, 42700 Utica Road. Residents can bring by plants from their garden they wish to share and exchange with others. The free “green” event allows gardeners to exchange plants of various varieties. Participants may package their plants in plastic bags, pots, boxes or other small containers. Those exchanging plants make up cards giving the plant’s name, brief description and care. Selling of plants is not permitted.
Sterling Pride Day — May 17
Sterling Heights City Council will host a tree planting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 on the City Campus. This new annual event will be a day each year when the Mayor and City Council can plant a tree on the City’s Campus and publicly encourage residents to plant trees on their property as well. The City of Sterling Heights is dedicated to growing and protecting its green space and urban forest.
Month-Long Initiatives
Tree Sale
DPW will discount its tree program in the month of May to encourage residents to purchase trees for the fall 2016 planting. Trees will be available for $150 for the month of May, a $50 discount from the normal purchase price of $200. DPW will distribute a list of tree choices to residents for planting in the public right-of-way. Trees purchased in May will be planted following the first frost of the season, likely in the end of October or early November 2016. For more information, call DPW at (586) 446-2440.
#SterlingPride
Throughout May, Community Relations will be running a photo contest to encourage residents to share photos of their efforts to take pride in Sterling Heights. Whether it be planting trees, cleaning up their neighborhood, cleaning up their own homes or other green thumb efforts, the City will collect photos via email at photos@sterling-heights.net and via the social media hashtag #sterlingpride. The top three winners will receive gift cards to a local nursery. All photos collected will be shared on the City’s social media accounts following the contest.
Love Your Parks
The City will be kicking off a marketing campaign called “Love Your Parks” beginning in May. The new campaign will be complete with stickers, window decals and signage to hand out to residents at Parks & Recreation events, the Dodge Park Farmers Market and other public-facing opportunities to encourage pride in community parks.
Sterling Pride Month is an initiative run through the Community Relations Department with the support and assistance of DPW, City Development and Parks & Recreation. Any questions can be directed to Community Relations Director Bridget Doyle at bdoyle@sterling-heights.net or (586) 446-2471.