Saratoga, the beautiful

Now in its second year, Beautify Saratoga aims to continue projects to spruce up the town.

“An individual from Colorado, who owns property here and has a home here, has taken an interest in making the town of Saratoga more aesthetically pleasing to promote growth and tourism,” Saratoga Town Clerk Suzie Cox said.

Projects for Beautify Saratoga include repainting commercial buildings in downtown Saratoga. A fund was established to help businesses with part of the cost of a fresh coat of paint.

Thus far, Beautify Saratoga has helped a number of businesses, along with the Saratoga public pool, repaint their structures. The program hopes to assist Valley Foods, the Saratoga Sun, the American Legion and the Rustic Bar.

Businesses that have participated have a sign on their building which says “proud sponsor of Beautify Saratoga”. Cox said the idea behind the signage is to promote the program.

A member of beautify Saratoga said they hope to repaint the parking lines downtown as well.

Those behind Beautify Saratoga are also behind the potential construction of Sgt. Tyler Pickett Park. These individuals are working alongside the town of Saratoga to turn the park into a reality.

“They used their connections in Colorado to help develop an abstract design,” Cox said. “They are working on doing fundraising to move forwardwith that project. Chuck [Bartlett] worked with the American Legion to develop a plan for that project too, so there are a lot of things coming together.”

Beautify Saratoga also assisted in a car donation program, called Wheels for Wishes. The program, which accepts vehicle donations, goes into the Beautify Saratoga fund, which is then donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation in Wyoming.

Last year, 16 cars were donated, which gave the foundation $1,900 to go towards their programs. There are reportedly cars from last year that have yet to be sold, of which proceeds will continue to go toward the Make-a-Wish program.