Neighbors Seek to Spruce Up Corners in North Center

The deadline to nominate a neighborhood corner for a major transformation is drawing near as the Northcenter Neighborhood Association searches for just seven spaces to beautify this spring.

It’s all part of the organization’s Parkways Corner Initiative, a focus on turning a plain corner into an eco-friendly, low-maintenance landscape featuring native plants. After a successful year in 2013, officials are calling on residents to apply to transform their corners this spring.

Just seven corners will be chosen, and spring applications are due by May 6.

“These corners create a colorful array of pesticide-free, bee, bird, butterfly and even bat-friendly corners within our neighborhood,” NNA said in a statement. “These native plant landscapes are visually beautiful, flowering three seasons while providing pollinator forage that require no chemical additives or pesticides. There is no longer the need for mowing, further decreasing the carbon footprint.”

Sign up for breaking news alerts and check us out on Facebook.

The corners are planted and maintained by the volunteers who apply, and through a partnership with the North Branch Restoration Project, the volunteers are trained on how to maintain the new corner.

Corners cost $125, which will pay for the 30-40 plants, fencing, signage and general maintenance. Representatives with the NNA say doing the same amount of work without help from them and the North Branch Restoration Project could cost upwards of $400.

Those interested in lending their green thumb to this year’s planning project can find more information on the NNA’s website, including how to apply.