Helios Park
Helios Park hosts solar panels mounted on solar trellis and constructed of white oak. The park body includes pervious concrete walkway (enhances drainage), native vegetation rain garden, and a colorful human sundial which enables visitors to determine the time of day (if the sun is out). The solar energy is fed into the grid via…
Read MoreYoungstown Pocket Park
Mahoning County Land Bank is identifying areas to install flexible-use green space. Kids began playing in the space pictured here while the flowers were still being planted. Three weeks after this space was completed, 300 kids showed up for a safe trick-or-treating event. More about this project >
Read MoreNeighborhood Landscapes
Trumbull County Land Bank’s employment program has created 6 new full-time positions focused on implementing neighborhood plans. The program has built capacity to complete projects like the landscape installations pictured here. More about this project >
Read MoreCommunity Pumpkin Patch
Volunteers with their Regenerative Agriculture and Environment Justice Program reuse tires and cardboard, which would otherwise end up in a landfill, for a Sugar Pumpkin patch. They encourage organizations starting out to engage as many grassroots organizers as possible. More about this project >
Read MorePollinator Project
Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy thinks activating community and business partners is essential for revitalization work. Here, volunteers from the Dow Chemical Company remove two 30-yard dumpsters of trash from a vacant, land bank-owned property. More about this project >
Read MoreMuskegon Lot Clean-up and Beautification
Muskegon County Land Bank Authority is collaborating with AmeriCorps to maintain land bank owned lots and houses in a large target zone. Here, an AmeriCorps member directs volunteers in clearing this space. They advise organizations starting out in this work to begin slowly and build sustainably. More about this project >
Read MoreMarquette Community Art
Marquette County Land Bank has repurposed two blighted lots into a new art park that includes weather-resistant display frames to showcase artwork created by local youth. More about this project >
Read MoreCommunity Composting
Kompost Kids Inc. manages community compost sites like this one to reclaim organic waste and raise awareness about the benefits of composting. They see a growing demand for food waste recycling in the city and think vacant spaces can help meet this demand
Read MoreLots of Love (IL)
HeartLand Conservancy is converting vacant lots to native habitats. Working on government-owned properties instead of purchasing lots allows them to operate without significant resource burdens. More about this project >
Read MoreGreen Guard Stewardship Program
Heartland Conservation Alliance operates a stewardship program that provides training and funding to neighborhood groups. Together, they build capacity and restore community assets, like this outdoor classroom for a local high school. More about this project >
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