Board of Public Works Gives $2,500 Grants To 14 Beautification Projects

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Board of Public Works announced today that it approved 14 neighborhood beautification projects for funding through the Beautify LA Grant Program, which was created to support community-based groups beautifying public spaces.

Once the projects receive their final permits, $2,500 grants will be given to fund:

-- Footbridge Square Laurel Canyon/Valleyheart Media, a landscaping project in Council District 2, submitted by Footbridge Square Neighborhood Watch;

-- Beautifying the L.A. River Bike Path Along the Headwaters, a landscaping project in Council District 3, submitted by L.A. River Walkers and Watchers;

-- Valerio Street Pocket Park, a landscaping project in Council District 3, submitted by Reseda Neighborhood Council;

-- Bronson Canyon Traffic Circle Landscaping, a landscaping project in Council District 4, submitted by The Oaks and Bronson Canyon Improvement Fund;

-- Rosewood Gardens Mural Project, a mural project in Council District 5, submitted by Mid-City West Neighborhood Council;

-- Let's Beautify North Hills, a landscaping project in Council District 7, submitted by North Valley Caring Services;

-- Chesterfield Square Mural Project in Council District 8, submitted by Chesterfield Square Community Block Club;

-- Washington Transit Corridor Beautification, an artistic banners project in Council District 10, submitted by Mid-City Neighborhood Council;

-- Porter Ranch Beautification Project, a park landscaping project in Council District 12, submitted by Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council;

-- Beautify Thai Town, a project to install cultural plaques in Council District 13, submitted by Thai Community Development Center;

-- OWN Community Garden Shed Construction, a project to build a community garden shed in Council District 13, submitted by One World One Nation;

-- L.A. River Stewardship Memorial, a landscaping project and bronze memorial plaque installation in Council District 13, submitted by Atwater Village Neighborhood Council;

-- Amazing Gardens & Campus Beautification at Delevan Drive Elementary, a community garden project in Council District 14, submitted by Delevan Drive Elementary School; and

-- Watts Imperial Courts Unity Garden, a landscaping project in Council District 15, submitted by GreenSpacesLA.

Recipients were selected from 52 applications during the first round of the program. Twenty-six applicants were invited to the proposal round with 19 groups submitting full proposals, resulting in the 14 selected.

``We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for Angelenos. The Beautify LA Grant program is an opportunity to ask community groups to join us in our mission of beautifying and improving our neighborhoods,'' Board of Public Works Vice President and Keep Los Angeles Beautiful Chair Aura Garcia said. ``Our call to action was met with an exciting response. I look forward to seeing our communities enjoy the completed projects and continuing this program in the future.''

Finalists are required to match a minimum of 25% of the grant money through outside funds, volunteer time, discounts or donations of professional services or materials and supplies.

``Through the Beautify LA Grant, we connected with many local groups and have shared resources with all applicants to help move their project ideas forward. We hope this encourages even more people to improve their communities,'' said Paul Racs, director for the office of community beautification.

Another Beautify LA Grant Program will be launched in 2022.