Del City residents helping beautify community
Kristi Tasker, Cyndi Harwell, and Stacie Freitas were recognized by Mayor Floyd Eason and Councilwoman Pam Finch for their efforts cleaning up flower beds and welcome signs in Del City. (Photo by Anthony Thomas)
By Anthony Thomas
Contributing Writer
The Del City Beautification Committee was recently praised for their work improving the community.
The three women recognized were Stacie Freitas, Cyndi Harwell, and Kristi Tasker. In recent weeks they worked diligently to revitalize the welcome sign gardens at Sooner Rd. and Reno Ave. and Sunnylane Rd. and I-240 and the gardens at High Spirits Park.
“It was nice but not necessary. I love flowers. I love making things look nice. I’m trying to do what I can to make the city look nice,” said Freitas.
Freitas is the current Chairwomen of the Del City Beautification Committee. She moved to Del City in 1997 and both of her children went through school in Del City. Freitas has been a member of the committee for several years and still works a full-time job.
Harwell has been a member of the group since 2006. She is a lifelong resident of Del City whose children both went to school in Del City. Harwell worked for the City from 2006 to 2018 as a landscaper. Along with the committee she continues to do free-lance landscaping work.
Tasker is one of the committee’s newest members starting in May. She moved to Del City in 2006. For work, she helps Harwell with landscaping projects.
The Beautification Committee is a volunteer group dedicated to improving the gardens and landscaping of Del City. Along with encouraging residents to be active in the community and making Del City beautiful. All the flowers and other materials are provided by the city, donated or grow by members of the committee. The committee is responsible for all the welcome signs and gardens in the parks.
“We’re just wanting to give back to the community. Plus, help the city because we know they’re understaffed right now. I’m proud to be from Del City so I like to help keep things looking nice with flowers,” said Harwell.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the committee has been unable to meet or be active the past year. On June 15 they were able to have their first meeting in a little over a year. They wasted no time getting back into the community. Last Thursday, Harwell, Tasker, Helen Watson, and Floyd Brown were out in the gardens at SE 29th and Bryant Ave. and Sooner Rd. and Reno Ave.
The committee’s first big public event is going to be on June 26 at High Spirits Park. It’s a partnership with the Epperly Neighborhood Watch to clean up the park. Members of the community are encouraged to come out and help revitalize the community park.
“When we went and did it we weren’t expecting anything from it. To me whenever the flower beds look like that, it’s self-gratification. When I can walk away and look at my work and what I’ve done,” Harwell said.
The committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at City Hall. To stay up to date on all their events and projects residents can visit their Facebook page, Del City Beautification.
