For years, 49th Street South divided two communities — Gulfport and St. Petersburg’s Childs Park. In 2014, that started to change with the first corridor cleanup featuring both city’s mayors — and their police chiefs.
The Gulfport Neighbors have announced the date for this year’s Mayors’ 49th Street Cleanup & Chief’s Chat Community Forum. The event historically features St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson and local volunteers walking together to pick up litter along 49th Street South. After the cleanup, the two police chiefs — St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway and Gulfport Police Chief Rob Vincent — host a “Chief’s Chat” where community members can bring forth concerns and ask questions.
“The cleanup is about more than picking up litter,” the Gulfport Neighbors explain on their Facebook page. “It is a celebration about community and it is about the collaboration of the neighborhoods along our shared 49th Street. Residents from all areas of both cities are encouraged to participate. This event affords all the opportunity to come out and meet neighbors from both communities, while also making a difference. The communities of Gulfport and St. Petersburg need not be divided by anything more than four lanes of asphalt.”
Gulfport Neighbors will provide garbage bags, water and gloves.
Mayors 49th Street Cleanup & Chief’s Chat Community Forum | Tangerine Greenway, at the intersection of Tangerine and 49th St. S., Gulfport | Oct. 13: 8:15 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. mayoral welcome; 10:30 a.m. Chief’s Chat | More info and signup information on the Gulfport Neighbors’ Facebook page.
This article appears in Aug 16-23, 2018.
