I have long admired the system many states and towns have initiated encouraging clubs, businesses, schools and civic organizations to “adopt” streets, highways and streams. Such an adoption means you agree to clean up the area at least twice a year.

At Greensboro College there is little stream that meanders beside the campus. Several years ago the Biology faculty encouraged the students in the Biology department along with others to adopt that stream and plan clean-up days to keep it looking nice. We have an impressive sign on Market Street telling everyone that we have adopted that stream. For the most part, we have done a pretty good job of keeping the stream clear of paper, bottles, cans and other forms of litter.

When John Wesley first went to Scotland, he was favorably impressed with Edinburgh. He wrote in WORKS that it was a city built upon a hill, “shelving” down on either side. On the west side a stately castle was perched on a craggy rock. The paving on the streets was broad and fine. Lofty houses lined the streets, some of them seven or eight stories tall, “far beyond anything in Great Britain.” 

But “how can it be suffered that all manner of filth should still be thrown even into this street continually? Where are the magistracy, the gentry, the nobility of the land? Have they no concern for the honour of their nation? How long shall the capital city of Scotland, yea, and the chief street of it, stink worse than a common sewer? Will no lover of his country, or of decency and common sense, find a remedy for this?”

Wesley’s criticism became a focal point for other visitors, and a clamor to clean up the city finally resulted, in 1767, in the City Council adopting a plan to clean up, at least the main streets in town. Sounds a lot like our “Adopt a Street” plan. I regret to say, the last time I was in Edinburgh, that street was still pretty dirty. But no doubt it has improved significantly since Mr. Wesley walked the street. 

Craven E. Williams
President
Greensboro College
Greensboro, N.C.
By the way, I have just received a request from the Biology department to come help with the clean-up on Friday. All volunteers are welcome!