Nearly 100 volunteers from various local businesses joined forces on Saturday morning, November 3, to spruce up Cruz Bay, just in time for tourist season.
The operation, dubbed “St. John Pretty,” was organized by St. John Administrator Leona Smith, who chose to work with the private sector for the cleanup.
“One initiative that this administration wants is to work more with the private sector,” said Smith. “We will be having public/private partnerships to get things done on St. John.”
Virgin Islands government officials, Alfredo’s Landscaping, Caneel Bay Resort, Grande Bay, HAI-2, Island Getaways, the National Park Service, Sirenusa, Stone
Masonry Inc., Trayser Construction, the Westin Resort and Villas, West Indies Corp. Breckinridge Custom Homes and Winston Bennett volunteered at the event.
The aim of the cleanup effort was to spruce up the Frank Powell Park, Mongoose Junction, the Julius E. Sprauve School, and sidewalks and beaches in the Cruz Bay area.
St. John Pretty began as a vision of residents of St. John, according to a Government House press release.
“The cleanup campaign was launched as a vision of the St. John community to beautify their neighborhoods and common areas and in order to encourage residents and visitors alike of the need to take responsibility for the cleanliness of the island,” according to the release. “In raising awareness on the importance of clean living spaces, the St. John Beautification Group hopes to engage the community in continued cooperative partnerships celebrating clean communities and neighborhood pride.”
The St. John Beautification Group plans to target different areas across the island at least one Saturday per month, year round. To join the initiative contact Smith at 776-6484.
