The Lansford Alive community improvement organization spent Saturday laboring to make the borough more welcoming.

Members rototilled a triangular plot of land at Springgarden and Water streets, then raked, planted, and spruced up the parcel."We're doing this project through Lansford Alive to brighten up this part of the community," said organizer Mary Soto. "This is a part of an ongoing effort to take pride in our community by doing things like cleaning up an area, painting," and other tasks.Lansford Alive is asking residents who have perennial plants (but not shrubs) they'd like to contribute for the Springgarden Street project, or for any of the whiskey barrel planters Lansford Alive has placed around town, to contact Soto at (570) 645-8870.Lansford Alive members Donna Valent; past President Mark Sverchek; President Chris Ondrus; Rick and Mary Soto; Jeremy Benack, pastor of Grace Community Church, and his daughter Abigail; vice-President Bob Silver; and treasurer Martin Ditsky worked the better part of Saturday to get the parcel in shape.Other community member also pitched in: Panther Valley Lumber owner Bob Davidovich donated mulch, mushroom soil and the use of a rototiller; the Carbon County Conservation District provided mulch, and 14-Acre Farm provided the use of a bucket loader.The Sotos coordinated the project, and Mary Soto provided the flowers.Jill O'Brien, who lives in the house adjacent to the parcel, is happy with the project."I think it's great," she said.The perennial garden is among several improvement projects planned by Lansford Alive.They include a borough-wide fall cleanup scheduled for Sept. 28, and a fall festival proposed for Oct. 5. The group asked that any vendors or crafters interested in participating in the festival contact Valent at (570) 645-4833."Despite all the things said about Lansford, there are still a lot of nice homes and areas in this town, and people who do take care of their property," Soto said. "Take pride in your community and be part of the solution."