Posted on Dec 07, 2023 | News,Press Releases
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Awards $181,831 in Beautification Grants to 33 Organizations
(BATON ROUGE, LA) – Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has awarded 33 beautification grants to organizations in 21 parishes, totaling $181,831. Made possible by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the grant program funds planting projects and welcome signs on public property in highly visible areas such as community entry points, highway corridors and medians, and major roadways and intersections. Grantees are reimbursed up to $8,000 for their beautification projects.
“I’m pleased to support this KLB grant program, as community beautification is a demonstration of pride in place,” says Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “When we take the time to enhance the appearance of our communities, we convey our love for Louisiana.”
“Planting trees and plants is good for the environment and contributes to an improved quality of life for all who call Louisiana home,” says Susan Russell, Executive Director of KLB. “Not only do beautification projects improve community appearance, but it’s also proven that people are less likely to litter in areas that are well maintained.”
This grant requires plants and trees to be at least 25% native to Louisiana. In addition to beautifying public spaces, projects are required to exhibit diverse community support, collaboration between organizations, matching contributions, and benefits to community residents. Eligible to apply for the grant were Louisiana parishes, municipalities, state agencies, governmental entities, political subdivisions, universities and colleges, and non-profit organizations.
2023-2024 grantees include:
Allen Parish
City of Kinder: To improve the downtown square, citrus and fig trees will be planted, and the current fountain will be restored.
Assumption
Assumption Parish Recreation Department: Funds will support the installation of a sign reading, “Welcome to Veterans Park and Pierre Part Belle River Water Trails.” Plantings will help to reduce erosion along the bank edges and improve the appearance of the park and trails.
Bienville
Town of Arcadia: The grant will fund the installation of welcome signage surrounded by plants native to Louisiana at the three main entry points to the town as well as around the Bienville Depot Museum.
Bossier
Keep Bossier Beautiful: The grant will be used to enhance two existing gateways into Bossier City with native plants.
Caddo
Southern University at Shreveport: At Leonard C. Barnes, Administrative Building, an allée’ and greenery will be implemented to welcome visitors to the university.
Village of Belcher: Funds will purchase pavers, and plants. The beautification project will complement the village’s new signage at the crossroads of LA 3049 and Caddo Street highlighting points of interest along their stretch of the “Boom or Bust” National Scenic Highway.
Concordia
Concordia Parish Library: Plants and shrubs native to Louisiana will be planted to enhance the new library entrance.
East Baton Rouge
City of Baker: Several native Louisiana trees will be planted directly behind the city’s welcome sign. Shrubs will also be planted, along with a bed of perennial plants/grasses.
Louisiana State University (Keep LSU Beautiful): The Greek Amphitheater, built in 1926, will be landscaped with plants, beautifying and revitalizing the underutilized to space to return it to its original purpose as a gathering place for outdoor events, performances and activities.
Evangeline
City of Ville Platte: The grant will be used to improve the existing welcome sign and beautify the space with plantings.
Jefferson
City of Westwego: The grant will fund a garden surrounding a welcome sign at the entrance to the city on Fourth Street, improving the city’s image through well-maintained green spaces.
Grand Isle Garden Club: The grant will support the planting of trees in three public parks: Grand Isle Community Center Park, 90 West Park, and the Port Commission Property.
Jefferson Davis
Town of Lake Arthur: Funds will allow for landscaping around the community welcome sign to the downtown park.
Lafayette
City of Broussard: The grant will fund a sign and flower bed at the official visitor’s center and museum for the city.
City of Scott: The beautification grant will assist with landscaping and a welcome sign on property purchased to expand the Scott Sports Park.
Moncus Park: Native plants will be planted around the Moncus Park entry. The beds will showcase the park entrance sign, beautifying Johnston Street and teasing at the 100-acre greenspace lying within.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Keep ULL Beautiful): Four live oak trees will be planted to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Signage will also be installed.
Lafourche
City of Thibodaux: Plantings will help further improve the appearance of Downtown Thibodaux and Bayou Lafourche.
Natchitoches
Keep Natchitoches Beautiful: This project will create an attractive landscaping feature at the entrance sign for the Texas & Pacific Railroad Depot.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (Keep Northwestern State Beautiful): The grant will fund a garden that will improve the appearance of the campus library.
Orleans
Dillard University: This grant will restore the flower beds surrounding the Avenue of the Oaks to their previous splendor—specifically, the beds near the Dillard sign and Kearny Hall.
New Orleans Museum of Art: Funding will be used to replant a stretch of landscaping alongside the intersection of Enrique Alferez Drive and Collins Diboll Circle in City Park.
Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association: In the significant Central City intersection at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, nine trees will be planted to offer shade and beautify the space.
Keep Algiers Beautiful: The funds will be used to plant flowers and bushes along neutral grounds throughout Algiers while also creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape along the community’s welcome sign.
Ouachita
Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful: In the roundabout located at 40 Oaks Farm Rd. and Arkansas Rd., magnolia trees and muhly grasses will be planted in a triangle shape to beautify the gateway into the parish.
Keep West Monroe Beautiful: The downtown entrance to West Monroe located at Trenton and Wood Streets will receive a refurbished garden to make the intersection more aesthetically pleasing for visitors and patrons who shop in and use the downtown area.
Sabine
Village of Florien: Two welcome signs will be installed, and native perennials will be planted to beautify the spaces.
Sabine Parish Tourist and Recreation Commission: The funds will go towards a new welcome sign and landscaping for The Village of Converse which is located in the northern part of the parish welcoming visitors from Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas.
St. Mary
St. Mary Parish Library: The grant will fund the flower beds around the Franklin Branch and Centerville Branch. Flowers will also be planted around the sign located near the roadway of the Centerville branch.
St. Tammany
Town of Madisonville: To beautify the town center, shrubbery will be added to existing flower beds on Mulberry Street from Pine to Water Street.
Terrebonne
Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society: The Buquet Pavilion Garden at Southdown Plantation and Museum will be filled with native plants and shrubs including indigo, irises, milkweed, native ferns, and vine draped archway.
Washington
City of Bogalusa: Fifty native trees will be planted to encourage people to exercise outside, ultimately improving overall community health outcomes.
Winn
City of Winnfield: A welcome sign, plants, and trees will be implemented to welcome people and promote the city’s slogan.
Media Contact:
Melissa Kenyon
marketing@keeplouisianabeautiful.org
678-346-5252
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Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), a 501c3 non-profit supported by the State of Louisiana and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is focused on promoting best practices for litter prevention and reduction, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability. The backbone of KLB is the organization’s network of 37 Community Affiliates and 10 University Affiliates – all committed to working toward a cleaner, greener Louisiana. KLB supports communities across the state with its programs, educational opportunities, and community improvement grants. KLB is affiliated with Keep America Beautiful. Learn more at www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.
