Butler County Common Pleas Judge Tim McCune, of the Butler AM Rotary, trims bushes at the “Welcome to Butler” sign at the intersection of Route 8 and Pittsburgh Street on Saturday morning, Oct. 7, as the Shade Tree Commission and Butler AM Rotary work to clean up the area and lay down new rocks. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Members of the Butler Shade Tree Commission and Butler AM Rotary collaborated Saturday morning, Oct. 7, to beautify the first impression many motorists have of Butler.

The commission took over the maintenance of the patch of ground beside the northbound lane on Route 8 at the intersection at Pittsburgh Street, just across from the end of the Gen. Richard Butler Bridge.

The space boasts a large sign that reads “Welcome to Butler” and includes artwork by renowned Butler artist Tom Panei.

The Rotary planted shrubs and flowers at the site in 2007 after the new bridge opened, but maintenance of the area is being taken over by the commission.

Donna Smith, commission chairwoman, said the overgrown plantings were replaced with large stones and edging, and bushes and trees were trimmed.

Smith ordered 12 tons of rock for the project.

“We’re giving it a new look,” she said.

More improvements at the site are being planned by the commission, she said.

Donna Smith, Butler Shade Tree Commission chairwoman, spreads out new rocks at the “Welcome to Butler” sign at the intersection of Route 8 and Pittsburgh Street on Saturday morning, Oct. 7, as the commission and Butler AM Rotary work to clean up the area and lay down new rocks. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Donna Smith, Butler Shade Tree Commission chairwoman, and County Common Pleas Judge Tim McCune, of Butler AM Rotary, take a break from sprucing up the area at the “Welcome to Butler” sign at the intersection of Route 8 and Pittsburgh Street on Saturday morning, Oct. 7. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Sam Bicari, 14, of Butler, helps bring in new rocks in a wheelbarrow at the “Welcome to Butler” sign at the intersection of Route 8 and Pittsburgh Street on Saturday morning, Oct. 7, as the Butler Shade Tree Commission and Butler AM Rotary work to clean up the area and lay down new rocks. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle