By Judy Halone
The Courier-Herald
The streets of Bonney Lake are undergoing a spring cleaning, thanks to the city's Adopt-A-Street program, now in its third year.
Approximately 15 groups presently sponsor the adopted streets, Bonney Lake Administrative Specialist Triss Weber said.
Though mostly nonprofit, businesses also take on the task that requires a two-year commitment of maintaining at least one mile of adjacent, connected or adjoining city streets no less than four times per year. One of those dates occurs on Beautify Bonney Lake Day, which will take place on Sept. 20.
The Adopt-A-Street program is a win-win situation for both city and community; the city supplies up to 28 pairs of gloves, safety hats, vests and roadwork warning signs. In return, two “Adopt-A-Street Litter Control” signs are placed on volunteers' streets that include their names.
“It's a way to help build a sense of community and pride, and a way to recognize businesses and individuals who take the project on,” City Administrator Don Morrison said. “It saves the taxpayers from having us come out there. “It's a program that is fairly common across the country and in the area.”
Bonney Lake is willing to designate any streets and several neighborhood groups have adopted their own areas. A few of those include homeowners associations in Sky Island, Interlake Island and Inlet Island, Weber said.
“Some of the other streets presently sponsored include Locust Avenue, Bonney Lake Boulevard, 214th Avenue up to the city limits of 106th Street,” she said.
The Washington State Department of Transportation coordinates an Adopt-A Highway program in the area along state Route 410.
City staff and Mayor Neil Johnson are hailing the program a success.
“It's important because it brings together a sense of residents taking ownership of their streets,” Johnson said. “We see young people working together in groups and they care how their city looks.”
That group involvement impacts the community.
“It alleviates the city crews if the roads are cleaned up - it gets people involved in their community,” Weber said.
“It's made the city a lot cleaner,” Morrison agreed.
For more information on adopting a street, call 253-862-8602.
