Second cleanup project in the Wick Park neighborhood

[northside lurker]

Here is a diagram showing the different kinds of brick patterns:


This image is from this site: http://www.gobrick.com/BIA/technotes/t30.htm
I didn't look at this site thoroughly, but it looks like everything you wanted to know about bricks can be found there.

[iwasthere]

the owner of the four seasons flea market had a lawnmower that was powered by air.

[AllanY2525]

My old Crafstman lawn mower that I brought to the cleanup event has a
mulching blade and is self-propelled with a rear bagger on it.  Next fall,
we need to find a couple volunteers that have the rear bagger mowers.

With these lawn mowers, there is no raking to deal with...the lawn mower
acts like a lawn vacuum and mulcher all in one...and since it shreds everything
it picks up, less lawn and garden bags are needed to bag up the leaves.

The mulching blade also returns some of the clippings to the lawn, to help
fertilize it....

Re: the brick pattern - I'm not very knowledgeable [sp?] about brick and
masonry, but this sounds quite interesting, WestSider - do you have any
picture examples of the two brick patterns?  It would be nice to see
samples of both, and compare how they are put together...

[northside lurker]

My arms are still sore from trying to rake leaves out of the frost.  Tyler and I agreed that, next time, we will get the leaves raked before December.

I hope this can become a sustained effort, too.  But, Rob P. seemed a little doubtful.  Maybe we should wait until the weather breaks, (March, April) to start up again.  Right now, people are busy with the holidays and, after new years, everything will likely be frozen - even if we get clear weather.

One interesting detail I noticed while trimming down those bushes: 212 Broadway doesn't just have a running bond brick pattern, but has the higher quality Flemish Bond pattern.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering the location, but I think it's the first time I've seen that in real life.

[AllanY2525]

I think we were there about an hour or so after you left, WestSider....

The back of the place wasn't as bad as the front, mainly just cutting the
grass and picking up twigs, branches and trash.  I wish the sun had been
shining on the back yard more, as the leaves were frozen to the ground
and the lawn mower was having problems picking them up.

I hope that this will become a sustained effort - it's the only way it will
make a lasting difference in the neighborhood.  I know that a couple
people who were in the group are actively seeking investors to try
and buy at least one of these vacant properties on Broadway Avenue.

I wish I had more money - I'd buy at least one of these properties.
Browsing some of the local blogs last night, I found a few photos of
the former Covenant House nursing home on Broadway - sad to see
the interior of the mansion in such deplorable condition.... I'm going to
make another attempt to get access to some of these vacant homes
on my next trip to Youngstown, wasn't able to make it happen this
time around.

[northside lurker]

Wow, you guys really kicked butt on the back of the house!  How long were you guys there?  When I left, I don't think work had started on the back.

[AllanY2525]

and a couple more....

[AllanY2525]

More photos....

[AllanY2525]

Neighbors from the Wick Park area gathered on Broadway Avenue again
yesterday to do another neighborhood cleanup project.  Although there
was a smaller turnout this time, the level of enthusiasm was just as high.

This property now looks much better...