Project 1: Cushing Park Neighborhood Beautification

Location: S. Cherokee and W. Floyd  

Project Summary: In early summer, the neighborhood kicked off their beatification efforts and planted flower in the beds at Cushing Park and Cushing Corner as well as picked up trash. They also hosted an ice cream social and neighborhood happy hour and painted rocks to put in the planters. Additionally, they replaced the Little Free Library and painted the trash cans. Throughout the summer neighbors tended to the planters at Cushing Corner by watering flowers and preparing the beds for winter.  

How the project will benefit the community in the future:  

‘In the short term, it helped bring neighbors together to engage in the neighborhood they call home and create a community gathering spot. In the long term, I hope it can be an example of what neighbors can collectively achieve in the community and how we can turn small vacant lots into something fun and purposeful.’ – Grant Recipient

Project 2: Bates Logan Park Bollard Project 

Location: Bates Logan Park (2938 S. Logan St.)  

Project Summary: Neighbors in the five homes that live along the west side of Bates Logan Park got together and painted the 59 bollards and adorned them with metal flower art and sculptures.  

How the project will benefit the community in the future: ‘I was surprised at how creative each household was. You may know your neighbors a long time, but I found out how creative they all were. I didn't know that about them. They took the paint and art sculptures and turned them into something they created. I felt that they each took pride in what they were doing, and when the accolades started coming in, I could see how they really enjoyed doing something that made the neighborhood a better place.’ – Grant Recipient

Project 3: Community Sharing Box 

Location: Movement 5280 located at 3190 S. Grant St.    

Project Summary: A community sharing box was installed in the Old Town Neighborhood outside of Movement 5280.   

How the project will benefit the community in the future: Not everyone was thrilled about a homeless resource center moving into a neighborhood. I must admit I would have probably felt the same way until actually connecting with the people there. My hope is that Jenni's box, named after my mom who passed away in 2005, becomes a place of giving for those who can and a place of taking when those are in need. While this box is on Movement 5280's property, it is open to everyone. I hope the neighborhood residents contribute and learn more about what Movement 5280 does.’ - Grant Recipient   

2022 Grant Projects

Project 1: Cushing Corner Makeover  

Location: S. Cherokee and W. Floyd  

Project Summary: Cushing Neighborhood transformed the vacant lot at the corner of S Cherokee and W Floyd into a community gathering space full of color and life. They painted a mural on a roughly 4500 sq ft lot, built a little free library, six planters and purchased two benches to complete the space.  

Community Partners:  

How the project will benefit the community in the future: From grant recipient: ‘In the short term, I often see people taking selfies in the lot, walking through the lot rather than around it, traffic slowing and the excitement and pride of the high school students who worked really hard to make it happen. From the neighborhood perspective, it brings a sense of place and community, a welcome entrance and separation of business and residential spaces. In the long term, I hope that Cushing Corner becomes a community gathering place, an example of what's possible when people collaborate and perhaps motivates/inspires students and neighbors who were involved to engage in community change in the future.’  

Project 2: Little Free Library  

Location: 4255 S. Pennsylvania St.   

Project Summary: The residents at 4255 S. Pennsylvania St. built a Little Free Library in their front yard.  

How the project will benefit the community in the future: From grant recipient: ‘I’m so excited for this little library to be a part of the neighborhood! I’m hoping others will be too. Ideally, neighbors will stop by, exchange books, chat, and get to know each other. We live on a really quiet street and don’t see people out too often so I hope this will help with the neighborly vibe. I also thinks it’s just nice driving in Englewood and seeing little free libraries around town, it makes me feel like the people living in those houses really care and are making an effort to improve the neighborhood. I’d like to do that too.’ 

Project 3: Sharing Box 

Location: Southwest Greenbelt    

Neighborhood Organizer: Belleview Park Neighbors  

Project Summary: Neighborhood designed and ordered custom made metal, animal proof sharing box for community resource exchange installed at the Southwest Greenbelt. There is a bulletin board on the side of the box and neighbors are welcome to post about neighborhood matters. Neighbors are able to take or leave items as they walk by. Items in the box include food, toys, fresh produce from gardens in the summer and other products. There is also a volunteer sign up form and neighbors are encouraged to sign up to maintain the box.  

How the project will benefit the community in the future: From grant recipient: ‘The Sharing Box will bring neighbors together to share food, toys, other supplies, to stock for free access to anyone.  Bulletin board for notice posting on the side is open to anyone to post on.’  

Project 4: Median Beautification  

Location: Island in S. Lafayette Dr.     

Neighborhood Organizer: Dante Campanile and Arapahoe Acres Neighbors  

Project Summary: The neighbors in Arapahoe Acres improved the island on S. Lafayette Dr. The neighbors replaced the landscaping pebbles with bark mulch, repaired a neighborhood sign and purchased 3 large landscaping stones.  

How the project will benefit the community in the future:  

From grant recipient: ‘By replacing the landscaping pebbles with mulch, the space becomes much more inviting. The pebbles created a lot of debris in the road and were a lot to maintain. Additionally, the large landscaping stones provide visual interest and offer a place to sit in the shade, as many passerby children and adults do. Lastly, repairing the sign maintains the identity of our neighborhood.’