DAPHNE, Ala. — One way to develop friendships and have fun this summer is to become a volunteer.

The Daphne Beautification Committee, comprised of volunteers, meets the first Friday of each month — except on holidays — at 10 a.m. in the Daphne Recreation Center to continue the work of improving and beautifying Daphne. The public is invited to attend.

The committee is excited about many volunteers’ accomplishments from the past few months.

Have you noticed the completion of the sidewalk, handrails and parking lot at ‘Gator Alley’? Marshall Parsons, Marjorie Bellue and the Public Works crew did a “super job” dressing the area by planting trees and shrubs behind the new fence in the parking lot, which will soon have carved “critters” atop the posts, Tomasina Werner, a DBC member, said. 

Charlie Sumner and his father, Chuck, along with friends and volunteers, built four picnic tables with benches, two park benches, and cleared areas and planted trees for ‘Gator Alley’ at D’Olive Park on north Main Street. The project would help Charlie earn Eagle Scout status.

Robert Colville, who donated the Butterfly Garden at ‘Gator Alley,’ received his Eagle Scout Award on May 17, in a ceremony at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church.

If you visit ‘Gator Alley’ lately, you’ll see newly planted native plants; the “Butterfly Garden” attracts butterflies; picnic tables and benches beckon you; alligators are out; and the park is clean, Werner said. 

“We ask that you help us keep it clean for everyone’s enjoyment,” she said. “We hope you enjoy and appreciate the efforts of the DBC in working to make the city of Daphne more beautiful for the citizens and visitors.