TOCA volunteers and Project EverGreen helped Cleveland’s Helen Simpson Park bloom again as green industry communications professionals from across the country came together on April 29 to revitalize the Cleveland green space through a collaborative day of community service, landscape enhancements, and neighborhood stewardship.

Read More About Helen Simpson Park’s Transformation Through the Years

Led by Project EverGreen, the community refresh project brought together volunteers and industry partners including Yardmaster and Turf Pride Lawn Care to enhance one of the valued green spaces near Cleveland’s Shaker Square neighborhood.

Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) volunteers Together, these partners continue to demonstrate how the green industry can create lasting impact well beyond the landscape itself.

The project focused on planting enhancements, landscape bed improvements, pruning, edging, and general park cleanup to create a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment for residents and visitors. Project EverGreen originally renovated the park in 2022 with a much-needed facelift to enhance the aesthetic appearance, vibrancy and accessibility to the park. Since then, The Morelands Group, a volunteer group of neighborhood residents, waters the plants, picks up litter and keeps a close eye on their beloved park.

A key component of the volunteer effort included members of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA), which held its annual conference in Cleveland during the final week of April. TOCA members include writers, editors, podcasters, public relations professionals, marketers, and communications leaders representing companies and organizations across the green industry.

The annual meeting combined professional development, networking, industry education, and hands-on experiences throughout the Cleveland area. As part of the conference, TOCA members wanted to give back to the host city through a meaningful community service project focused on improving a neighborhood park and supporting local residents.

The project was supported through generous plant material donations from Bremec Nursery, Lake County Nursery, Willoway Nurseries, and LaCava Landscape, whose contributions helped transform key areas throughout the park.

The day also highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy green spaces in urban neighborhoods; places that improve community pride, support environmental health, and provide gathering spaces for families and residents.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for TOCA members to get their hands dirty, give back to the host city, and see firsthand how neighborhood parks help bring communities together,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “It was especially meaningful to have green industry communicators volunteer their time and talents to help create a more welcoming space for local residents.”

“What a wonderful day at Helen Simpson Park last week,” said Meg Weingart of the Morelands Group. “Thank you so much for bringing TOCA members, Yardmaster, Turf Pride, and of course Project EverGreen to our park. It really meant a lot to us, and the park looks fantastic.”

Susan Rotatori of the Morelands Group also shared her appreciation for the project and volunteers.

“The Morelands Group cannot thank Project EverGreen enough for all the donated wonderful plants and all the people power to get it planted and landscaped,” said Rotatori. “The park never looked so inviting and beautiful. We’re a little park, but it means so much to many.”

Volunteers worked side-by-side with community stakeholders to install new plant material around the park fountain and sidewalk areas, edge landscape beds, prune shrubs, remove debris, and refresh the appearance of the park ahead of the busy spring and summer seasons.

Projects like Helen Simpson Park reflect Project EverGreen’s ongoing commitment to creating greener, healthier, cooler communities through collaborative green space revitalization efforts nationwide.

Project EverGreen extends sincere appreciation to all volunteers, donors, and partners who helped make the day possible:

Get Involved

Ready to make a lasting impact beyond your own lawn? Join Project EverGreen in restoring and sustaining healthy green spaces for communities in need. Whether you volunteer your time, become a program sponsor, or make a donation, your support helps transform underperforming turf into vibrant, functional spaces that improve quality of life.

Get involved with a community park renovation project and be part of creating greener, healthier, cooler communities.