It’s free money to beautify your neighborhood!

The only catch is you have to live in Alton and apply for the grant by June 6 - so get busy, talk to your neighbors and grab an application.

Last week, Laura Wallendorf of the Alton Clean City Beautification Committee, announced people can apply for grants ranging from $100 to $250 with which to plant flowers, vegetables, herbs or do something else to spiff up a neighborhood.

Wallendorf said the committee wants neighbors to work together to come up with creative ideas and which would foster collaborative efforts and feelings of ownership within Alton neighborhoods. She also said people living in an area best know how to spend some money for beautification purposes there.

In order to get the grants, the gardens or other beautification projects have to be on public property and within the city of Alton. Imagine how nice it would be to grow a community garden - perhaps in a city-owned vacant lot - where neighbors could till, plant, de-weed, water and then enjoy the fruits, herbs or vegetables throughout the season. Those who worked on the garden also could hold a street party or barbecue to enjoy the final harvest and celebrate a successful, united effort.

On a smaller scale, neighbors could plant some flowers to add color near a street sign or to embelish a dull corner. Or, maybe someone could put in a small water garden where people could walk or sit and enjoy some peace and tranquility.

I told Laura that I would be interested in following the garden trail of the grants, and I probably would do a story on how the money is being used. I can’t wait to see if someone comes up with a truly interesting project. I used to garden quite a bit, but with a wooded back yard I am now limited to a few herbs where the sun breaks through and shade-loving flowers. I did pop in a couple of pepper plants this spring, but I am not hopeful they will thrive and produce.

The grants have several other limitations: The money cannot be used for: gardening projects on private property; work already taken place; people or projects that have gotten funding from the committee within the past six months; or used to install trash cans, play equipment or permanent structures; tree removal; overhead costs such as office supplies, phone bills or labor; or for tools and equipment. Eligible projects also could be used to enhance ecology of a neighborhood. Grant recipients must use the money within three months and with volunteer labor doing the work. They also must provide the committee with “before, during and after” photos documenting the project.

The two-paged applications are available at Alton City Hall, 101 E. Third St., Haskell House, 1211 Henry St., and the Alton Public Works Department, 2 Emma L. Kaus Lane. For more information, contact Sue Weber at 462-4991 or by e-mail:  webersue at charter.net.

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