Trash cans get makeover to help clean up Bolivar Peninsula

CRYSTAL BEACH,TX -- Parents and their children painted coastal and anti-littering themes on the barrels Saturday as part of a kickoff event to help promote beautifying the small community, the Galveston County Daily News reported. Some barrels were adorned with messages such as "Litter makes us crabby."

"The majority of these kids live on the peninsula," said Brenda Flanagan, a Bolivar resident since 2005. "The ones who didn't live here either had grandparents who live here or their families have second homes here."

Residents hope Bolivar will become an official affiliate with Keep Texas Beautiful, which would allow its local chapter to apply for and receive grants to help improve the community, Flanagan said.

She said residents want to also improve gateway entrances to help better identify the peninsula and enhance its park areas by adding plants and some flower beds.

"We hope this is just the beginning," said longtime resident Carlis Cole.