Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008

CITY OF LAS CRUCES

By Anela Borrego
Photography by Claudia Carle

Many would agree with me when I say Las Cruces is one pretty city. We have beautiful views of the Organ Mountains, clean streets, amazing rock walls that the city has become known for, well-kept neighborhoods and most importantly, a community that takes pride in where they live.

It's no doubt that keeping Las Cruces beautiful is a community effort. It not only takes a combination of team players, such as a supportive city government and a mindful and courteous public, but it also takes wonderful organizations that are dedicated to the beautification process to make it all happen. Everyday efforts are being made -big and small - to make this city a better, cleaner, more beautiful place. Keep Las Cruces Beautiful is one
of those organizations dedicated to doing just that. Year-round, the organization stays busy cleaning up the city through several different ways - such as keeping weeds and litter under control - and also works to implement projects such as the Neighborhood Pride Zone, a beautification project that hopes to "enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods" by having the city and the citizens team-up to make neighborhoods cleaner (and ultimately safer) as a result.

Another project implemented by Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) is the Community Mural Project. The organization has partnered with the Juvenile Citation Program (JCP), an organization that works with youth who have committed a misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor or status offense for the first time. The partnership between KLCB and JCP has allowed the young individuals in the JCP to use their creative abilities in a more productive manner such as creating murals throughout the community. The murals sanctioned by the KLCB organization are put on walls where graffiti and vandalism is often found. According to KLCB Coordinator Craig Fenske, the murals have seemed to reduce the occurrences of vandalism in these areas.

Although the KLCB always welcomes and appreciates community participation once a year for a two-month span, KLCB also participates in the Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program. This annual event will take place this year from March 1 to May 31 and is estimated to have 2.8 million participants nationwide. Last year, Las Cruces had 445 local residents who volunteered their time, energy and effort to improve 26 areas within the community as part of the nationwide project; this year the goal has been set to have more than 500 volunteers.