Benefits & Impact

The Sullivan Renaissance beautification program continues to foster successful community pride and awareness because participants work together for the larger good of Sullivan County.

Photo Galleries

Photo One Winter Conference
Sullivan Renaissance kicks off its ninth year

Solar Renaissance
Sullivan Renaissance partners with NYSERDA

More Galleries...

Sullivan Renaissance

< Back to Getting Started

This is a county-wide program, which has sponsored projects in all 15 towns and 6 villages. Each project requires collaboration among two or more groups; many have seen participation from multiple organizations. There are thousands of active volunteers throughout the county.

Core Community Program

Over 325 community projects have been funded since Sullivan Renaissance began in 2001.
Individual projects have raised and spent over $3,500,000 in beautification projects in their communities. This amount does not include the growth in pride and spirit in communities throughout the entire county.
Sullivan Renaissance has awarded $638,500 as Phase II grants for additional community projects ranging from a library addition to playgrounds to park improvements. The Phase II recipients are determined by a panel of experts.
NYS Senator John Bonacic has provided ongoing support for Sullivan Renaissance efforts, including $75,000 grants in 2005, 2006 and 2007. This assistance directly aided the 3-year community development projects in several communities, including: Barryville, Hurleyville, Kauneonga Lake, Lumberland, Rock Hill, Swan Lake and Wurtsboro.
Sullivan Renaissance emphasizes planning, development and community involvement. A staff community planner assists organizations with visioning, resource development, capacity building and other planning services.
The $50,000 Golden Feather Grant, made possible through NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, recognized the Lumberland’s Circle Park in 2005, Swan Lake in 2006 and Kauneonga Lake in 2007 for the highest level of achievement in all aspects of their projects.
Corporate sponsorships have enabled more projects to be funded and recognized communities for addressing specific issues with annual awards for historic preservation, environmental stewardship, project maintenance and a showing of flowers.

Green Initiatives

Sullivan Renaissance added new elements to its mission and programs to address environmental issues, including advocating for a “green resolution” by Sullivan County Government, and a series of seminars on “Demystifying Green Building” with the Center for Discovery.
A project to brighten three communities with solar-powered street lights was made possible in 2007 through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Twelve lamp posts have been installed in the Village of Woodridge and six at the Woodstock monument at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Six more lamp posts will be going in at Swan Lake park in the Town of Liberty in 2008.

Youth Involvement

Sullivan Renaissance encourages youth participation by making it one of the program criteria. Involvement of young people has also been incorporated through a “Spruce Up Your School Grounds” grant program in all eight school districts. Ten projects were funded in 2007.
To support the work of local groups, Sullivan Renaissance collaborates with the Center for Workforce Development and Cornell Cooperative Extension to offer a “Youth Gardening Internship Program” for Category B and C projects. Interns work with projects and volunteers to assist with gardening and help ensure an abundance of flowers.
Sullivan County Community College has supported these volunteer efforts by awarding part and full-time scholarships to Renaissance participants. Since the scholarships began in 2003 a total of eight full-time and five part-time scholarships have been awarded.

Support for Communities

Monthly seminars on gardening, planning, fundraising and securing volunteers are held for community groups and the public.
The Chamber of Commerce organizes a Merchant Discount Program giving groups reductions of 10% to 20% or more on products and services used to clean up and beautify their communities.
An advertising and marketing campaign reaches out to the public urging participation in the beautification movement in general and Sullivan Renaissance in particular. The Somerville Brothers have contributed an original composition – “Do Something Good” – for use as the Sullivan Renaissance theme song. The print campaign theme – “Have You Renaissanced Today” – was designed by Danielle Gaebel.
For four years, Sullivan Renaissance has observed Arbor Day with the distribution of trees to communities and schools throughout Sullivan County during the month of May.

Other Programs

The Mini-Grant Program reaches out to groups and individuals who want to plant flowers. Since 2004 over 50 projects received up to $200 grants to remove litter, plant gardens and undertake other beautification projects.
Five towns and two villages participated in the Municipal Clean-Up Grant Program in 2007. Offered by Sullivan Renaissance in partnership with the Sullivan County Legislature, this program assists municipalities with the clean-up of roadside sites and the removal of derelict, unsightly and unsafe structures.
Money for 50/50 matching grant demonstration projects is available to assist summer camps, bungalow colonies and seasonal businesses with beautification improvements that demonstrate best practices for other seasonal properties throughout Sullivan County.
A seasonal brochure is distributed to summer residents, welcoming them to the county. It explains the Renaissance program, available grants and offers beautification tips.
The Sullivan County Board of Realtors has recognized dozens of owners of homes and businesses that enhance the area through its Sullivan Showcase Awards. A $2000 Sullivan Renaissance grant is awarded for improvements to a municipal or public building each year.

Benefits & Impact

Recent News

‘PRESERVING LOCAL HISTORY’

LEARN ‘GARDENING BASICS’