Keep San Marcos Beautiful (KSMB) is one of the city’s newest initiatives that strives to reduce waste, prevent litter and beautify our wonderful city, and the program is coordinated by myself, Heather Powdrill, with the assistance of the Parks & Recreation Dept. I was hired on as a full-time employee in December 2009 after completing a year and a half internship with Parks & Rec.
The KSMB program officially started in June 2009 and is an active member of Keep Texas Beautiful. Our main focus areas are litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification. Through presentations, demonstrations, Nature Center kids camps, and schools, KSMB programs teach environmentally conscious practices and lifestyles.
KSMB also coordinates the Adopt-a-Spot program through which groups and businesses adopt a public spot within the city to help clean and beautify at least four times each year. KSMB has 12 groups that have adopted 11 parks or greenspaces totaling 309 acres of adopted parkland. Other efforts include graffiti cleanups and the San Marcos River Cleanup. The upcoming fall river cleanup will be held Saturday, October 9, 2010.
KSMB will also be coordinating our 1st annual Keep San Marcos Beautiful Art and Eco Fest set to be held Saturday, September 25th on the Square in Downtown San Marcos. The event will begin with the Sculpture Garden Grand Opening at 10:00AM then the event downtown will kick off at 11:00AM and end at 11:00PM. The day will include art and eco vendors from around the area, food vendors, a fun and interactive kids area, onstage performances throughout the day, and a concert to end the night. KSMB is proud to join efforts with the Arts Commission and other groups throughout the city to bring such a diverse cultural and ecological event to our community.
As you can see, KSMB is working hard to serve and educate our citizens and visitors on how to become the most beautiful city in the state. Coordinating and starting a new program has been a challenge, but one I am grateful to have experienced. After the first year of KSMB, the program received the Gold Star Affiliate status with Keep Texas Beautiful. This was an amazing honor to receive this status in our first year.
Heather Powdrill
Community Beautification Coordinator
City of San Marcos
Parks and Recreation
512.393.8420hpowdrill@sanmarcostx.gov
