Dana O'Connor
Key Points
- Strong Towns Apopka is organizing a West Orange Trail beautification event on Oct. 24 from 8 to 10 a.m. featuring native planting and public art projects.
- The event promotes community collaboration and sustainable development aligned with the national Strong Towns movement's principles.
- Wekiva High School Art Club and Creative Hub of Apopka will lead the art installation and stepping-stone painting at the event.
Strong Towns Apopka will host a community beautification event Saturday, Oct. 24, along the West Orange Trail, bringing together residents, students and local organizations for landscaping and public art projects.
The West Orange Trail Beautification Day will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. and include native plantings, an art installation and stepping-stone painting. A dedication ceremony recognizing the participating organizations and volunteers is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
The event is being organized in partnership with the Garden Club of Apopka, Wekiva High School Art Club, Creative Hub of Apopka and Orange County Parks & Recreation.
Wekiva High School Art Club students are creating the art installation, while Creative Hub of Apopka will lead the stepping-stone painting activity. Volunteers will also help plant native vegetation along the trail. Participants assisting with planting are encouraged to bring watering cans.
“Strong communities are built when people come together to care for the places they share,” Strong Towns Apopka Chair Christine Moore said in a Tuesday news release.
Moore said the project illustrates how residents, schools, community organizations and government agencies can work together to improve public spaces.
“We are not just improving the trail—we are creating opportunities for connection, creativity, and community pride,” Moore said.
The event is part of Strong Towns Apopka’s efforts to encourage residents to participate in neighborhood improvements and community development.
The local initiative draws inspiration from the national Strong Towns movement, which advocates financially sustainable communities, thoughtful development and public spaces designed around residents’ needs.
Residents and families are invited to participate. Parking will be available at the Fran Carlton Center and Doctors’ Dog Park.
Additional information is available on the Strong Towns Apopka Facebook page. Volunteers can register at bit.ly/4BfKeHd.