Shine City Project Report (9/7/19)

[Ken Doo]

Shine City Project

Lorenzi Park

September 7, 2019  

After two months dedicated to serving the less fortunate in Las Vegas through Three Square, Las Vegas Rescue Mission and Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada in air-conditioned facilities during the summer months, Shine City Project was finally able to go back outside! On September 7, 2019, Shine City Project arrived at Rotary Park for a cleanup with Get Outdoors Nevada! It was the first cleanup organized by Get Outdoors Nevada in two months after taking a break during the summer season. We were looking forward to joining and working together again with Get Outdoors Nevada! However, when we arrived at Rotary Park, we were surprised to find that more than 100 volunteers had already gathered to help out with the service project! Most of these volunteers were students from several schools in Las Vegas.

It was inspiring to see that there were many young people who were eager to make a difference in Las Vegas. Although there were many volunteers, the park wasn't very large. Faced with this difficult, but good problem, we made the decision to go clean up at a different park! We had the supplies–gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags–to organize our own service project!

After a six-minute drive, our group arrived at Lorenzi Park! Lorenzi Park was named after David G. Lorenzi, a French immigrant who purchased an area of 80 acres of land about two miles west of the current downtown Fremont Street area in 1912. Due to the abundance of underground water, Lorenzi was able to successfully drill to the underground water and create an artesian well. This water would be used to create two lakes and become the basis for Lorenzi's Lake Park. The park opened in 1926 with the addition of a pool, dance pavilion and orchards. Lorenzi Park is one of the oldest parks in Las Vegas with a history of becoming a resort getaway with a 48-room hotel. For a number of years, renovations and upgrades were needed, and the park reopened on August 17, 2013. Lorenzi Park currently covers an area of 60 acres of land, and it was the first cleanup location for Jeffrey Silerio when joining Shine City Project!

On this morning, our group of nine volunteers was able to fill nine bags of trash! We had one volunteer join us for the first time! Additionally, while cleaning up the park, we met one park-goer who was really inspired by the work of our volunteers. She appreciated our efforts and our hearts in changing the culture of Las Vegas. She hopes to join our group and help out with our upcoming service projects! We hope to continue to do our best and inspire others in making a change for our community!