Garrettsville – In a display of civic partnership, the Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram is working with the village of Garrettsville to rejuvenate a downtown landmark for the good of the whole community. Upholding its motto, Service Above Self, Rotary is spearheading an effort to renovate the 25-year-old boardwalk along Silver Creek, then have new lighting installed on the boardwalk, at the waterfall and along the creek banks.
“The lighting of the falls is a very exciting Rotary project with which we hope to highlight and enhance one of the many wonderful aspects of Garrettsville,” says Rotary secretary Tom Collins.
At this point, the village street department has replaced rotting boards and has power washed the entire the 500-foot elevated walkway, which stretches along Silver Creek behind Main Street’s south-side commercial block. It also has provided all the stain necessary for Rotary and its band of community volunteers to get the boardwalk re-stained before warm LED lights can be installed by Edison Lighting out of Poland, Ohio. The purple rope lighting is coming down, making way for the more subtle undertone lighting that will illuminate the boardwalk in accordance to the downtown’s historic aesthetic.
On August 8, Garrettsville Village Council approved $11,000 (from the boardwalk fund) for the lighting and refurbishment project, while Rotary is contributing $7,000 (after receiving a $3,500 matching grant from the Rotary district) and at least 100 volunteer hours. Under the leadership of Rotary president and downtown Business Works owner John Crawford, the community service grant is designed to attract local residents and out-of-towners to linger longer downtown, enjoying views and business establishments along the boardwalk well into the evening hours.
The staining of the boardwalk is about 10 percent complete so far. Groups such as the JAG High School Interact Club, sports teams, civic clubs and willing individuals are welcome to volunteer a couple hours on a sunny day to apply stain to the walkway before new lighting can be installed, highlighting the waterfalls. Just call Business Works at (330) 527-4415 or stop by at 8110 Main Street to work out the details.
“If you take part in it, you’ll take pride in it,” encourages Rotarian Amy Crawford, co-owner of Business Works. “We have all the supplies here. We just need more help to get the boardwalk stained. That has to be done before the lighting can be installed in September or October.”
Back in 1993, local business and property owners, committees, government agencies, grant providers and private donors all joined forces and pooled resources to make the million-dollar boardwalk a reality. Garrettsville’s boardwalk became a natural artery through town, attracting walkers, waterfall gazers, bench sitters, photographers, Summerfest attendees and more. The boardwalk remains a symbol of this community’s vision, vitality, coordination, dedication and sense of hometown esteem.
“This boardwalk connects our community to its business owners,” says Mayor Rick Patrick. “When it was first built, it motivated business owners to clean up the neglected, overgrown banks of Silver Creek behind their establishments and draw people in to enjoy the natural beauty of our town. It’s time to reinvigorate that effort.”
“We hope that every business along the creek will help to spruce up the area, keeping it as one of the nicest in the county,” Collins adds.
A ceremonial first lighting of the falls will be celebrated after sunset one evening this fall, with downtown businesses open later than usual to usher in the new era of Garrettsville after dark, with the waterfalls and boardwalk newly illuminated by the warm glow of shared civic pride.
