We wanted to give back to the neighborhood and create something beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
$5,500+
Volunteer
Good
Grantee
2018
Sun
Midwest Civic Council of Block Clubs
$5,500+
April - June 2018
Sheri Burton
Volunteer
The MCCBC, City Council D6 Raquel Lopez, and the District 6 Manager and Deputy Manager.
Party Lot
Mixed Greens
Double Lot
7409 + 7415 Joy Rd
It was challenging, when we bought the lot it looked okay, but then new things kept happening, a stop sign was knocked over, a semi-truck got stuck. It was challenging, but we had to keep at it, and right the wrongs and keep going. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pull it off after the first day when we had only 4 people show up, but then we had people show up to help that I thought were opposed to the project, they dug all the holes we needed in the clay soil. Plus, our council member showed up with extra volunteers, I only had to plant one rose bush all day.
Not very much, we planted the Party Lot around an existing tree.
Yes
beautification
We got interested in it the lot because of the artwork that was done on a tree beforehand. We found out the land was owned by the DLBA and applied for a community partnership to acquire it. Before that, we had permission from the DLBA to use the land.
I’m a farmer now. I had planted flowers in my yard beforehand, that was it. I learned about weeds too.
We put flyers out in the area surrounding the lots announcing that we had received a grant. We asked neighbors to come out and be a part of rebuilding the community, more of an informational flyer. Going forward, in engagement, we discuss the formation of block clubs and introduce people to other initiatives, including the Land + Water WORKS program.
Anything that you can do by yourself, just do it - sweat equity.
The biggest challenge was outside interference... On Memorial Day Weekend our roses and lilac bushes were stolen, 13 roses and two lilacs. I contacted Telly’s Greenhouse & Garden Center, where I had bought the bushes from, and they were willing to give them to me for half price, but they didn’t have the colors I wanted, so DFC found the roses at Home Depot half priced. Telly’s gave me a discount on the lilac bushes to replant. We replanted just before the end of summer planting season with a group from the MCCBC. I decided to replant them and prevent them from being stolen by burying a chain under the mulch to lock up the bushes, we installed security cameras and signage that says what the garden is, to increase public awareness.
I’m going to ask a neighborhood landscaping service to donate some services, for mowing but mostly edging. I mow, weed, and water it.