WMBCTV: Volunteers Bring Color to Highland Park’s Downtown Streets with Community Planters

Buckets, gloves, and cheers - these are just some of the elements coming together in a big way at this time of year to help put a splash of color throughout a bustling neighborhood in Highland Park, New Jersey. Nearly 150 planters line Raritan and Woodbridge Avenues, each one filled with flowers provided by Main Street Highland Park. Father and son duo, Sam and Sammy Lebowitz say this is their third year volunteering.

“The first year we did like 2 or 3. Last year Sammy wanted to do like 27 but we got 10,” said Highland Park Resident, Samuel Lebowitz. “This year he wants to do 99 billion… we might hit that goal - what do you think sammy?”

“I want to do all of them!,” Sammy said.

“All of them! Alright we’ll see, we’ll do as many as we can. Right bud,” Samuel said.

Volunteers say they’re excited to take part in this neighborhood gardening as they explain that these blooms brighten the community and foster local pride. 

“Sam and Sammy’s planter - we get to walk by and see our plants throughout the summer and say ‘oh, this is our planter and kinda visit em,’” said Samuel Lebowitz.

Organizers say it’s a welcome mix of community and beautification. Meredith Carman, who says she’s been coordinating the downtown planting for 22 years as a volunteer with Main Street Highland Park, says anyone is welcome to join.

“It’s being a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Meredith Carman, Volunteer for Main Street Highland Park. “We get everyone from 1 to 99 here all the time.”

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just trying something new, many say Highland Park’s Planting Days offer a chance to dig into something meaningful.