GROW Sunflower Project Transforms Lots in Old South B.R.
Baton Rouge ( April 14, 2011)— In a pilot program this April, three vacant lots in Old South Baton Rouge were transformed through colorful sunflower plantings that will mature into the summer. This community revitalization tool is being implemented through a partnership with the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority (RDA) and Baton Rouge Green. An area approximately the size of one-quarter of an acre – on three sites—was planted in the pilot program through a volunteer event on April 14th. Neighborhood groups were actively involved in the planting, maintenance and harvest.
The mission of the GROW Sunflower Project is to enhance community engagement, to put vacant land back into productive use, and to beautify the streetscape. The three lots being cultivated are in close proximity to the Lincoln Theater: one site fronts Myrtle Walk at Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive and the other two lie along South Street at Iberville and 14th Streets.
Vacant lots in Baton Rouge are often plagued by environmental issues such as the presence of trash and illegal dumping of noxious toxins, and community issues such as unwanted uses of property and lowered property values. The sunflower plantings will begin to revitalize these empty spaces through beautification, and have the potential for ridding soil of contaminants. Robillard’s Lawn Service, a lawn maintenance company based out of Baton Rouge, will be tilling the ground and conducting other lawn maintenance services for these lots where sunflowers will be planted.
This pilot program builds the momentum of the three organizations’ prior and ongoing work in Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR). CPEX’s involvement in redevelopment projects in OSBR includes environmental remediation, homeowner rehabilitation projects and commercial façade matching grant programs. Baton Rouge Green has planted hundreds of trees in public spaces and at dozens of homes in OSBR through its NeighborWoods planting and education program. The RDA recently acquired a dozen lots in Old South Baton Rouge and is working toward the revitalization of the Lincoln Theater, located at Myrtle Walk and Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive.
For more information, please visit the Grow Sunflower Project on facebook.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS:
Baton Rouge Green is dedicated to the enhancement of our urban forest by inspiring the residents of the greater Baton Rouge area to conserve, plant and sustain our community’s trees. Fore more information, visit batonrougegreen.com.
Center for Planning Excellence helps create highly functional, equitable communities throughout Louisiana that capitalize on their unique qualities through community-driven planning and implementation.
The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority is dedicated to transform the quality of life for all citizens who live, work and play in East Baton Rouge Parish by returning blighted properties to productive use, fostering redevelopment through facilitating partnerships, and creating a vibrant, globally competitive community while preserving character of place. For more information, visit ebrra.org.
