A volunteer effort to beautify the Vineyard Haven post office lot came to an abrupt end yesterday after two weeks of work had been completed.

Bryan T. Cimeno, 22, had been donating his time and labor to landscape the area around 9 Lagoon Pond Road, owned by the U.S. Postal Service and home to the post office and Cumberland Farms. Others had pitched in to donate plants and money for the project.

But Steve Doherty, corporate communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service Northeast area, said the postal service is not allowed to accept donations of any kind.

“By law we are prohibited from taking donations of any goods or services and landscaping services would fall under that,” he said, speaking to the Gazette by phone Tuesday. “Much the same way with your carrier at Christmas it’s okay to give him a fruitcake to share with the office, but not okay to give him a $20 bill.”

Mr. Cimeno, who owns Bryan Taylor Cimeno Fence and Landscape, was doing the work in honor of his late uncle, Derek Cimeno, the well-known Tisbury shellfish constable who died in 2009.

He said the plan was to renovate the area along the strip. “We wanted to put in benches and a birdbath and sign that said welcome to Martha’s Vineyard,” he said. “It was such a dustbowl before.”

About three to four weeks ago, Mr. Cimeno asked postmaster Debra Chickering for permission to do some landscaping work to improve the area. Actual work began two weeks ago. The project received praise from community members, pleased by the improvements to the area. There was an outpouring of support for the project on social media.

Then on Monday Mr. Cimeno received an unexpected call.

“We approached the postmaster, she was all on board,” he said. “We got a call last night, the supervisor said they wanted us to cease our efforts until further notice.”

An online fundraising page that had been created on Go Fund Me and had raised nearly $2,000 was also taken down. Other community members had donated goods in-kind including plants from Heather Gardens, Vineyard Gardens and water from the Island Color Center.

Town leaders supported the efforts to beautify the area.

Selectman chairman Larry Gomez said it was a vast improvement to the lot.

“I thought he was doing a great job, if I had time I would be out there helping,” he said.

Selectman Tristan Israel agreed.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful, I think that giving to the community that way is extraordinary,” he said. But he also recalled the difficulties of getting in contact with the decision makers at the post office. He recalled the town’s own difficulties with communication when they were interested in reconfiguring the parking lot.

“Somebody from up on high must have given the word,” Mr. Israel said. “I know that the local people are wonderful, I think any decisions, any measures taken, need to be done from corporate.”

Ms. Chickering said she could not comment on the matter.

Mr. Cimeno’s father, Bryan A. Cimeno, who has been helping his son, said they will continue to try and beautify the Island in memory of Derek Cimeno.

“My brother cared so much about this community, Derek was very involved in the community, he’d say Bryan you got to give back,” he said.