THRIVE Knoxville will hold a community planting day on Saturday, which will begin the Gateway Project.

THRIVE has received a $30,000 grant from the Living Roadway Trust Fund to begin the project, which is intended to beautify all four entrances to the city of Knoxville. The first phase of the Gateway Project will focus on the south entrance, where they will be planting trees, shrubs, and perennials along Hwy 14 between the Hwy 92 on/off ramps and Bell Ave.

THRIVE has set a community planting day for Saturday at 9 a.m. Volunteers are needed to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and all volunteers should bring gloves, tools, and wear closed toed shoes. THRIVE Vice President Tyler Christian encourages community members to come out and be a part of this project.

“We just hope the volunteers can come and contribute to what has already been a very community oriented project. We have four different partners involved with the design and the State of Iowa also participating in funding this so we want our community members to have a vested interest in this project as well and hopefully catapult us to help beautify the other gateways in the future.”

Those wanting to volunteer can meet at the former Knoxville Vet Clinic parking lot at the intersection of S Lincoln St. and W Bell Ave.