BEAUTIFICATION DEPT.
Our Projects
The Beautification Department and its volunteers are always looking for new and unique project ideas to help keep Bay St. Louis beautiful. Projects range from planting flowers and creating gardens to fashion shows using recycled materials. Here are a just a few of the past projects that have taken place in Bay St. Louis. If you have an idea of something you would like to see take place, contact us and let us know.
(No) Trash Bash
The first (No) Trash Bash took place in 2011 and featured clothings made from recyclable materials. Under the direction of Katie Stewart, the City's Keep Bay St. Louis Beautiful Coordinator, this event was created to increase community awareness and involvement. The event has grown in popularity each year, not only here but throughout the state. Because of its huge success, Katie received an award from the State of Mississippi for the "Most Stolen Event".
Day of Beauty, Day of Service
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps hosted a "Day of Beauty, Day of Service" in Bay St. Louis where volunteers came together for a wonderful day of bulb beautification at Seal Point. The volunteers planted Daffodil and Iris bulbs donated by "America Responds With Love Gardens", a non-profit organization that has given over 5 million flowers to towns across America.
Happy Garden in McDonald Park
The "Happy Garden" in McDonald Park was dedicated to the late Happy Gaines through the donations of friends and relatives who helped create the memorial. The garden was designed by Liz Younghouse Seal and Katharine Truett Ohman to eventually be a well shaded play spot for younger children along with a comfortable seating area for parents and others.
Twenty 15 gallon Crape Myrtles were planted in an inner and outer circle arrangement with ten trees to each. This area is designed to eventually create an interlocking circular canopy for children to enjoy during the warmer months. A centrally located black iron bench and a matching "Natchez" ornamental rubbish receptacle were also purchased from the donations.
A plaque on the bench is inscribed: "Happy" Garden - "Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child." - Joan Almon
Oak Tree Registry
If you are one of our lucky residents and have a beautiful live oak or multiple oaks on your property, please contact the Hancock County Historical Society at (228) 467-4090 or hancockcounty-his@bellsouth.net to have your oak registered by a Society member or a member of the Bay-Waveland Garden Club, co-sponsor registry.
The two organizations are offering this preservation service at no charge with lots of benefits. If a memorial plaque is desired there is a small fee.