Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful (KBAB) volunteers organize beautification efforts and educational activities to make Broken Arrow even more aesthetically pleasing.
Their name reflects a clear, simple mission.
KBAB volunteers enhance the city through hands-on projects and outreach. The organization benefits the community through its biannual Trash Bash and Recycling Rally events, held each spring and fall in cooperation with the City of Broken Arrow. Volunteers and participants join together to pick up litter in neighborhoods and take advantage of recycling services for hard-to-recycle items.
"Twice a year, we host the Trash Bash and Recycling Rally," said Sharon Atcheson, KBAB Chairperson. "Community members, homeowners' associations, student groups, or anyone who wants to help can pick up litter, clean up neighborhoods, and participate in recycling efforts."
The city provides a drive-through recycling rally for hard-to-recycle and hazardous items, making it easy to dispose of them responsibly during the event. The event is open to everyone; you do not have to live in Broken Arrow to participate in the Recycling Rally.
"We also provide paper shredding," Atcheson said. “Participants drive through, drop off recyclable materials, and we thank them for contributing to the event. They appreciate the convenience of recycling items from their homes."
Looking ahead, the next Trash Bash and Recycling Rally is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., with activities planned throughout the morning. This year, the Recycling Rally will be held at the Broken Arrow Maintenance Yard, 1700 W. Detroit St. Fire extinguishers, paper shredding, cardboard, tires (up to 10), and sharps and needles are some of the more difficult items people can recycle at the bi-annual event.
In addition to these clean-up efforts, KBAB also hosts an annual Rose Festival each September and collaborates with the Chalk It Up Art Festival and the Rose Kites over Broken Arrow event for a three-day weekend celebration. The Rose Festival educates the public about the importance of roses, monarchs, and other pollinators, while also serving as a fundraiser for The Gardens at Central Park.
Turning to The Gardens at Central Park, Atcheson explains that it is a dream finally realized by KBAB.
“That is something that we’ve been working on for several years, and we have to thank the residents of Broken Arrow who voted for the bond in 2018," Atcheson said. "We were able to get $500,000 from that to build this wonderful garden in Broken Arrow.”
The Gardens at Central Park is located on the west side of Central Park, at 1500 S. Main St. It is a 33,000-square-foot destination garden featuring open grassy areas and native plants to attract pollinators. The garden features canopy and ornamental trees, as well as various plantings, including Asters, Agastache, Butterfly Weed, Joe Pye Weed, Phlox, Bee Balm, Sunflowers, Bellflowers, Mexican Hat Plants, Rue, and, of course, Roses. It also includes sensory-rich herbs such as ornamental garlic, chives, basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
Architectural elements, including a pergola, an entry plaza, and a bubbling water feature, are also notable highlights of the garden. Atcheson credits the organization's volunteers for writing grants and finding the resources to improve the city.
"Our board is entirely volunteer run," Atcheson said. "Aside from the bond, we've sought out resources and have written grants to support projects that beautify the city."
While Atcheson is proud of the work her organization has accomplished, she is even prouder of the city.
"Everything that we do in Broken Arrow has been done well, and if you take the time and energy to do it well, then you have a good reputation," Atcheson said. "Broken Arrow is an up-and-coming community, and everybody works together in Broken Arrow. There's great synergy going on in our city. Because we all work together, we can accomplish more than we ever could otherwise."
"It's very, very important to get out and support the bond," Atcheson said. "We were overwhelmingly approved last time, and we hope to have the same thing this time," Atcheson said. "Most people in Broken Arrow are very supportive of the city and know everything you do for our city comes back to you."
With engagement, Atcheson said residents can take pride in knowing that they are a part of making Broken Arrow an even more beautiful place to live.
"It increases property values every time some of the nicer amenities are added in the neighborhood," she said. "It will make you more willing to stay in Broken Arrow, and other people will want to move to Broken Arrow also."
