The beautification of 14th Avenue Northwest using city-donated planters, which were installed last spring, is continuing to build steam with an upcoming cleanup events and recent commitments from nearby schools.

Older students from St. Alphonsus School are adopting the intersection of Northwest 58th Street and 14th Avenue Northwest. Younger students from the school will be installing their artwork in the planters using fixtures donated from the RE Store. And, St. Alphonsus fourth graders, who started a school garden last year, will be growing starts for the planters.

In addition, India Carlson, the horticulture teacher at Ballard High School, has committed her students to growing replacement and enhancement plants for the project and to adopt a number of the planters.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16, the East Ballard Community Association is hosting the 14th Avenue Adopt-A-Street Cleanup, one of its twice yearly events to clean up the street. Volunteers will be picking up trash and taking care of the planters. Cass Turnbull from PlantAmnesty will be conducting a hands-on clinic for weeding and pruning.

Before that, on Oct. 14, Turnbull will be providing a clinic on weeding and pruning. The presentation will be open to the public and will include wine and snacks.

Shannon Dunn of the East Ballard Community Association said it is important for neighbors to attend the clinic because in order for the planter project to succeed, the neighborhood needs people who want to adopt them and know how to care for them

Turnbull's clinic will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the St. Alphonsus cafeteria. located at 5816 15th Ave. N.W. The cost is $5 or free if you adopt a planter.

"All of this community partnering is a major reason that the vision to turn 14th Avenue Northwest into a park boulevard is becoming reality," Dunn said.

Seattle Parks and Recreation has recommended 14th 14th Avenue Northwest as the Ballard urban village project slated for acquisition funds from the Parks & Green Spaces Levy, Dunn said.