In a recent government meeting, community leaders discussed plans for a collaborative landscaping project aimed at beautifying a neighborhood in Provo. The initiative, which has garnered support from Provo City, involves re-landscaping a park strip between the curb and sidewalk, with the Elks Lodge of Provo agreeing to maintain the area once the project is completed.

The project is currently navigating the approval process with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), as the land in question falls under their jurisdiction. This has necessitated a restart of certain application processes, but progress is being made. Community members are actively logging volunteer hours, which can be converted into matching grant funds from Provo City. For every hour of volunteer work, the city offers $15, and organizers are seeking to accumulate an additional 200 hours to meet funding requirements.

Participants in the meeting discussed the possibility of splitting the matching grant into two separate applications to cover different phases of the project, such as preparation and planting. A Google Drive will be set up to track volunteer hours, and updates will be shared via social media and newsletters to encourage community involvement.

Additionally, the group is exploring partnerships with local nurseries and institutions like Brigham Young University (BYU) for plant procurement. While some local businesses have offered man-hours, they have not provided discounts on materials. The city also has a program for distributing trees each spring, which could supplement the landscaping efforts.

The timeline for the project anticipates starting demolition and soil removal by May 1, pending UDOT's approval. Community leaders expressed optimism about the initiative, emphasizing the importance of volunteer participation in enhancing the neighborhood's aesthetic appeal.