Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/840589
Kite Festival This year, the Town partnered with students from NC State to plan and implement the Kite Festival as part of their class requirements. NCSU students had an opportunity to work with PW and PD special events crews in their planning process. Due to the weather, the festival was held on the rain date but was well attended with approximately 1,200 participants of all ages. Volunteers at Work There were 21 volunteer work days at Hemlock Bluffs, which altogether amounted to almost 500 volunteers giving their time to environmental efforts such as mulching the trails at Hemlock Bluffs. Arbor Day Celebration With overt 200 citizens participating, the event included live musical entertainment, free education and crafts for kids and the Town's Tree City USA Award Ceremony. The event included 14 activity booths from local environmentally focused groups and Town programs. The 2017 Honorary Arbor Day Tree was planted in honor of Hometown Spirit Award Winner Sheila Ogle. Compost Giveaway Workshops During a weekend in March, the Town hosted four compost workshops, attended by 160 citizens. The citizens received bags of compost as well as education and training regarding waste reduction, organic gardening, native plants and general environmental tips for greener living in the Town. Carpenter Park Community Garden All available beds are rented at the Carpenter Park Community Garden, with additional beds available for education and outreach. The waitlist for plot rentals is over 100 people and we will offer all existing beds for rent again in January 2018. Good Hope Farm There has been great progress with the Town-sponsored infrastructure upgrades as those are nearing completion. We currently have five participating farmers committed to the project and ready to plant. A fruit orchard has been planted and some small community education programs have begun on the site. SPRUCE & Adopt a Spot Our volunteers this quarter planted hundreds of trees on the Swift Creek stream bank in conjunction with Wells Fargo Bank employees as well as removing invasive species from the natural areas at MacDonald Woods Park with help from the Church of Ladder Day Saints.