Want to help spruce up your neighborhood? The City is partnering with residents with the Neighborhood Island Grant. The program is a 100 percent reimbursement grant, up to $500, to purchase preapproved plants and upkeep for one of 20 islands identified by City staff. 

All plants must be installed before June 15. You’ll be reimbursed after City staff performs a post-installation inspection and verifies ongoing maintenance through Aug. 31. The City will give out one annual grant per island.

Eligibility: 

• Any of the of 20 existing neighborhood islands
• Reimbursement amount: minimum $100; maximum $500
• Program will only reimburse the cost of plants from the preapproved list
• Water and labor are not reimbursable
• Eligibility of materials not listed will be determined by the Public Works Director
• Applicants don't have to live in the same neighborhood as the island
• Applicants can be approved for multiple islands
• Only one grant will be awarded per island per year
• Applicant assumes all liability during the grant term

Process:

• Public Works manages the program
• Applications must be submitted to Public Works, 6901 Knox St.
• Applicants must submit a W-9 to Merriam's finance department
• No application fee
• Application approval must occur prior to start of reimbursed work
• All reimbursable plant material must be installed by June 15

Before reimbursement:

• Applicant provides up to $500 in receipts for installed plant material
• Staff performs a post installation inspection and periodic monitoring to verify ongoing maintenance through August 31