accent gwinnett magazine

GREEN AND CLEAN

PARTNERSHIP GWINNETT

In November, eight municipalities will have the Tax Allocated District (TAD) referendum on the ballot . . . READ MORE

BUSINESS

Have you thought about where you would like to retire? That’s a trick question. The real question is . . . READ MORE

FALL FESTIVALS, BEAUTIFUL DAYS, HAPPY FAMILIES

As the summer heat abates and we note a crispness in the evening air, our thoughts move toward all that . . . READ MORE

We painted the town red during our 3 year celebration.

I am so overwhelmed! Tonight is a celebration of so many things, and I am so thankful to all of you who . . . READ MORE

FALL HIKES WITH KIDS

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities for every one of all ages, including children . . . READ MORE

FAMILY

Be careful what you say. Your kids are listening. I learned this lesson very well at 3 am on the . . . READ MORE

RECIPES

It's really chili! READ MORE

BOOK REVIEW

The advent of the age of automation has given us a proliferation of instant solutions . . . READ MORE

WHO'S HAUNTING GWINNETT

You re all alone as the glowing candle casts shadows across the floor that creep up the bedroom wall . . . READ MORE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Although Marina Peed did not grow up in the South, she has that subtle air of Southern . . . READ MORE

THE LAST WORD

We all realize that there is not much in life that is free. Even love is sometimes bought . . . READ MORE

^{by: Gordon McMahan}

Imagine driving through the streets of Gwinnett and instead of just seeing concrete and grass in our medians, the streets are lined with trees, beautiful flowers, manicured grass and leafy green plants. This picturesque image doesn’t just have to live in your imagination; the transformation of Gwinnett’s medians into attractive landscapes is already under way thanks to the ‘Take Pride in Gwinnett’ program coordinated by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful.

The ‘Take Pride in Gwinnett’ program was initiated as a joint program with the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Transportation and participating cities in 1997 to show our community’s pride for our public spaces. Encouraging businesses or civic groups to “adopt” major public roadway medians, these organizations must landscape the median and maintain the area (including litter removal) for a minimum of two years.

Each adopting group is publicly recognized for their environmental efforts with free advertising: two double-sided signs placed in the median! By providing the service in trade for signage recognizing their contribution, the cost to the County is considerably less than if tax dollars are used to provide the maintenance.

Landscaped and well-maintained roadways create a safer, healthier and more livable environment for citizens, employees, shoppers, visitors and new businesses. National research shows that landscaped medians reduce road rage making our roadways safer, as well as create new green spaces. These green spaces minimize the heat island effects from paved areas and improve our air quality. The landscaped medians can also improve adjacent property values by as much as 15%.

The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) recently joined the ‘Take Pride in Gwinnett’ program, adopting two medians near Pleasant Hill Road and engaging in extensive landscaping enhancements and beautification efforts.

“We commend the leaders of the Gwinnett Place CID for their efforts in making the Gwinnett Place area safer, healthier and more livable,” said Connie Wiggins, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “I strongly encourage businesses to follow the great example of the Gwinnett Place CID and other ‘Take Pride in Gwinnett’ program participants that have chosen to publicly demonstrate their firm commitment and investment in the future of our community.”

There are hundreds of medians along busy stretches of road in Gwinnett County that are ready for adoption, each serving as an ideal advertising opportunity. If your business or civic group is environmentally conscientious and interested in showing pride in Gwinnett, call 770.822.5187 or visit the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful website at www.gwinnettcb.org.