The village of Homewood announced a $25,000 matching grant award from America in Bloom. The funds will be used to beautify a portion of Harwood Avenue bordering the Canadian National (CN) railyard.
The village plans to plant a native landscape starting this spring with completion in fall 2020.
During the process, the Homewood Science Center will host tutorials for residents, community groups and organizations to learn about flowering trees, shrubs, natural flowering grasses, prairie plants and perennial natives, along with the importance of attracting pollinators, birds and endangered butterflies.
The project will be designed to mitigate the heat island effect in that area, provide a windbreak for residents on the opposite side of the road and establish a sustainable environment for wildlife.
“We are pleased to continue our strong community partnership with CN,” said Mayor Richard Hofeld on Monday, April 6, when the funding was announced. “Homewood is always working on its greening efforts and this area needs some beautification effort. We look forward to transforming it into another sustainable, environmentally friendly and attractive landscape like others around the village.”
The Homewood Landscape and Maintenance Division of Public Works will conduct the planning and design phases with licensed engineers with assistance from nurseries and designers, ensuring a professional, functional and well-planned project.
