Project Main Street's first-ever Caldwell Beautification Day yielded some big numbers. More than 90 volunteers planted 21 trees, expanded, cleaned-up and mulched more than 80 tree beds, painted 55 lamp posts, planted dozens of fall flowers in the Green and refurbished a bus stop.

But the most impressive number of the day is "one." The community-wide effort brought everyone together, from residents to merchants to local business owners, to enhance downtown Caldwell from Trinity Academy to Willing Hearts.

"The day was so special and I really felt like the spirit of our community was alive through the volunteers who not only put their backs, but their hearts into what they did," said Project Main Street board member and Beautification Day event co-coordinator Christy Berg.

"I have always believed that people want to do good things and Project Main Street wants to be a vehicle for people to be able to do good things in our community," Berg said. "That's why our tagline for Project Main Street is 'your avenue for a vibrant downtown.'"

In addition to the projects done on Saturday, crews were out on Bloomfield Avenue that morning as well as Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m. to do prep work. They dug out root balls, cut through concrete and expanded the tree pits in order to make room for the young trees. Prior to the event, a committee of about 12 volunteers met once a week for two months to plan Beautification Day.

"We got everything done that we wanted to get done," said Berg, adding one exception of not having had the chance to add a second coat of paint to the lamp posts.

Next steps include installing watering bags to ensure the new trees receive ample water and asking the community to do its part until the next Beautification Day.

"I hope this is now going to be an annual thing–once in the spring or once in the fall–we'll have to talk about what makes sense," Berg said. "I don't want this to be a one time thing."