There’s nothing wrong with putting in a little effort to clean up a city, and Ishpeming is one of those cities, making itself a more beautiful place in which to live and visit.

The city is working with volunteers to clean up the city, with the Downtown Development Authority putting in benches along a main thoroughfare, Hematite Drive, plus conducting its normal efforts of putting out bicycle racks and trash cans for the upcoming summer season.

The beautification committee and volunteers are pitching in by sprucing up garden areas in the city. Last year, they set times to perform the work, but this year, volunteers can choose an area where they want to work and clean it at their own convenience.

Not only is it easier for a volunteer logistically, he or she can take ownership of a special spot. The Ishpeming City Hall garden, being in a fairly noticeable site, is particularly in need of volunteers, but help undoubtedly is welcome just about anywhere.

Also, the DDA is providing money for flowers, fertilizer, mulch and other gardening necessities, so there should be no out-of-pocket expenses for the helpers.

Money aside, the volunteers most likely want to help because (a) they want their city to look nice and (b) they enjoy gardening. Of course, the work also involves getting some exercise in fresh air and meeting people.

By getting involved in Ishpeming’s beautification efforts, volunteers will not only get the satisfaction of traveling by their spots and seeing well-tended spaces, they know that residents and tourists also will appreciate their good work.

We appreciate it as well, and hope this city-volunteer partnership for the beautification of Ishpeming continues indefinitely.