Downtown Waynesville is looking a bit brighter this week, thanks to a group of dedicated community members who took to the streets with shovels, flower flats, and a shared pride in their town.
Led by Downtown Waynesville Association (DWA) Board Chair Teresa Pennington, the initiative relied on Drake’s Landscaping as the main volunteer force, with crew members donating their time and labor to revitalize several spots across the downtown corridor.
The team planted fresh flower beds, trimmed back overgrown weeds, and cleaned up deteriorating sidewalk patches to make the area more welcoming for pedestrians.
When Pennington noticed municipal maintenance falling behind on routine upkeep, she saw an opportunity for the community to rally together.
“We just have looked at it as long as we can look at it, and we decided that it wasn’t going to get done if somebody didn’t just volunteer to do it,” Pennington said. “If you want something done, sometimes the only way to get it done is to do it yourself.”
The beautification drive marks a high point during a landmark year for the DWA, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary — the same organization that brought the iconic arch back to Main Street. Pennington, who has served on the board since its founding, hopes the new flower beds bring a fresh spark of joy to daily foot traffic.
“I just want to make it a prettier, more pleasant place to live and look at,” Pennington said, adding that the goal is to ensure both residents and visitors have something beautiful to enjoy as they stroll downtown.