Most exciting are on-going discussions regarding the creation of a community nature area on city-owned property at Battery Point, adjacent to Wright Park and featuring stunning cliffside views of Lake Erie. Last May at a meeting with city officials, Revitalize Dunkirk presented its vision of a minimally-developed or “natural” site that would allow visitors to enjoy the area’s beauty with quiet walks on wooded trails featuring informational signage about local plants, animals and history.

The group’s best-known civic beautification effort is the Downtown Hanging Basket project which has grown from 20 to 55 flower baskets in four years. Since an initial Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) grant helped it get started in 2015, this program has been funded by consistently generous contributions from area individuals, clubs, churches and businesses.

Entering its third year is the Adopt-a-Garden project developed by Revitalize Dunkirk in conjunction with the city in which community members may plant and maintain one of many small, raised bed gardens on public property. To do so, one must fill out and sign an Adopt-a-Garden License Agreement developed by city officials which includes a simple description of the sponsor’s planting plans, as well a list of rules for gardening at the site.

Four of these sites include raised flower beds built by 10 members of Revitalize Dunkirk’s Beautification Committee in 2018 and 2019 in front of the large blue “Welcome to Dunkirk” signs at the city limits on Route 60, Lake Shore Drive West, Brigham Road and Roberts Road. These garden beds and the planting of three trees last year at a Bataan Avenue pocket park were funded by a 2018 grant from Keep Western New York Beautiful.

Revitalize Dunkirk members distribute cold refreshments to hundreds of Memorial Day parade participants.

In 2020, starting with Earth Week in April, Revitalize Dunkirk members plan to beautify city streets with more tree planting, coordinating with city officials to choose appropriate species and sites based on Dunkirk’s recently-completed Urban Tree Survey.

The organization will also continue efforts to keep the city tidier. Revitalize Dunkirk plans to repeat community-wide street clean-up events like the one it sponsored in June in which over 70 community volunteers, including several groups from local clubs and businesses, participated.

In addition, a 2019 NCCF grant allowed Revitalize Dunkirk to purchase and donate two sets of moveable trash and recycling bins to the city which will be placed directly on the beaches at either end of Lake Front Boulevard this spring after the ice clears. It is hoped these conveniently placed bins will make it more likely that beach-goers will properly dispose of trash.

New in 2019 was the Memorial Day “hydration station” tent in Washington Park. At parade’s end, tired and thirsty parade participants consumed 300 free popsicles, 150 juice drinks and gallons of cold water provided by Revitalize Dunkirk. Plans are to repeat this well-received gesture this year.

Also continuing in 2020 will be Bring Your Own Chair (BYOC) sunset beach watches, one Sunday each month, May through September. Join friends and neighbors on May 24 at the newly refurbished City Pier to celebrate the return of warm weather for the first of these Revitalize Dunkirk-sponsored gatherings. Other BYOCs are scheduled for June 14 at Wright Park beach; July 12 at Main Street. beach, Aug. 16 on the lighthouse grounds; and Sept. 13 at Point Gratiot. Watch for announcements regarding details.

Submitted Photos The city welcome sign located at the corner of Roberts Road and Tenney Street was improved by Revitalize Dunkirk members by building, planting and tending a raised flower bed.

In 2018 the group began sharing its news through the TV program “Revitalize Dunkirk Tonight” on Dunkirk cable access channel 1301. Since then, 12 episodes have aired and can be viewed on YouTube. Beginning the first week in February, new shows each month will highlight and update Revitalize Dunkirk projects and programs and feature guests from Dunkirk organizations and agencies.

Now a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, Revitalize Dunkirk began in 2014 as informal meetings of concerned citizens who gathered to brainstorm and plan, often inviting representatives of relevant organizations to learn about useful grants, programs and strategies, as well as other community improvement groups’ struggles and successes.

From the beginning, the group’s mission has been to advocate ideas for improved urban living to residents and elected city officials. Concerns include preserving Dunkirk’s historic heritage, enhancing its physical infrastructure, reinvigorating commerce and boosting community pride and vision. To further these goals, the organization hosts guest speakers from a variety of relevant community groups and local government at most of its monthly meetings.

Revitalize Dunkirk meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except December in the conference room at the SUNY Fredonia Incubator, 214 Central Ave., Dunkirk. Area residents and representatives of organizations supportive of the group’s goals and vision who wish to share constructive ideas for improving life in our community are always welcome to attend. For more information, contact: RevitalizeDunkirk@gmail.com.