INDIANAPOLIS — Twice a week, 77-year-old Greg Silver crosses a busy 86th Street intersection to maintain his median.
"I do not like litter," Silver chuckled. "I don't like it here. I don't like it in a national park. I don't like it in my neighborhood."
He adopted the median 15 years ago with the help of his neighborhood group, Nora Northside Community Council.
"I know it sounds strange, but when you pick up a can or a cigarette butt that somebody threw out, it makes me feel like I've done something good," Silver said.
Picking up trash is just part of the yearlong adoption agreement with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.
Volunteers also need to keep the grass below 4 inches, water and weed, and cut back any planted trees or shrubs.
The "TLC" Silver provides to his median is what is needed citywide.
Auboni Hart, with Indy DPW, said the Adopt-A-Median program is around for a few reasons.
"This program came about to foster community togetherness, while also reducing costs for the city," Hart said.
Hart added that in Marion County, some of the areas most in need are Washington, Wayne and Center townships.
If you would like to adopt-a-median, contact Indy DPW with your maintenance, mowing and landscape plan.
After that, applicants are asked to complete, sign and submit an annual agreement to maintain the median.
The DPW site says a sign with your name will be installed on the median if your application is approved.
Keeping our city clean takes a village — just ask Silver.
"Everyone can do something," Silver said.