Melbourne Offering Landscape Beautification Grants

By  //  June 27, 2012

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Citizens and groups that would like to complete beautification projects to improve the appearance of public spaces, medians, and rights-of-way in Melbourne are to be eligible to seek grants to support their projects.

The city of Melbourne now offers grants of $500 to $2,500 for citizens wishing to beautify and maintain public spaces. (Shutterstock image)

Steven Graham, Melbourne’s Parks Administrator, said the program developed by the Beautification & Environmental Advisory Committee is to provide grants of $500 to $2,500 for landscaping improvements, with the project applicant providing an in-kind match of 50 percent.

“This is the advent of the community-based beautification grant program,” Graham said. “The city has set aside seed funds to match the efforts of residents and community organizations to landscape and beautify our public spaces throughout the Melbourne community.”

“This is the advent of the community-based beautification grant program,” said Steve Graham, Melbourne’s Parks Administrator

Now Available

Grant applications are currently being accepted.

Those interested in seeking a grant must complete an application form that is available online at melbourneflorida.org/leisure/parks.htm, and must agree to maintain the landscaped area for a year.

Grants are to be provided as reimbursements after work is complete, with up to $12,000 in projects to be funded in coming months.

Applications are to be evaluated by the Beautification & Environmental Advisory Committee of Melbourne.

Evaluations

The evaluations are to be based on the “Florida Friendly Landscape Principles” developed by the University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Service.

The principles offer recommendations based on factors that include plant selection, landscape design, soil preparation, low-volume irrigation, and maintenance practices.

Applications are to be submitted to the City of Melbourne Parks Division, 2895 Harper Road, Melbourne, 32904, or sent by e-mail to Graham at sgraham@melbourneflorida.org.

For more information, call 321-953-6230.