La Grande Parks and Rec announce spring beautification award winners
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, May 31st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from the La Grande Parks and Recreation) The home of Maxine Hines, 307 2nd Street, has been selected for the City of La Grande spring beautification award. Over the last four years Maxine has transformed her yard from lawn to a diverse, low-water landscape. The front yard is planted with deer resistant shrubs and perennials, “Lots of easy to grow perennials taking over on their own,” said Hines. The grass under the established street trees has also been replaced with wood chip mulch, eliminating the need to mow and irrigate. One raised bed is reserved for growing vegetables. Hops, Virginia creeper, clematis, and trumpet vine cover the chain link fence. When basement flooding required excavating, Hines created a dry creek bed made from all the unearthed rocks. “I love to share plants with others” said Hines, “and use way less water than other large yards!”
The beautification award for a commercial property was given to C’s storage, 3107 Cove Ave. This is the second beautification award the property has received. Owner Steve Hogan has preserved a large portion of the property for greenspace. “My customers really appreciate the landscaping we have done,” said Hogan. Among the many benefits that green spaces provide to a community is reducing the ‘urban heat island effect’. Urban heat islands occur when natural land cover is replaced with pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. The higher temperatures increase energy costs, air pollution levels, and heat-related illness. Integrating greenspaces into commercial development creates economic, environmental and social benefits for the community. sustainable-earth.org/green
The purpose of the Beautification Awards Program is to recognize residential and commercial properties that add to the beauty, diversity and sustainability of La Grande’s environment. The landscapes must be seen from public access and awards are given seasonally; spring, summer and fall. Award criteria: landscaping that integrates color, texture, seasonal diversity, appropriate use of hardscapes and space, landscaping which promotes resource conservation, wildlife habitat and/or food production, and owners that have overcome special circumstances.
Nominations for the summer beautification award can be sent to trees@cityolagradnde.org or call the Urban Forestry Division at 541-663-1952.
