Beauty abounds in Joliet with flowers and plants when CN Railway and America in Bloom celebrate “Rejuvenate and Create Community Gardens from East to West” project.
The event celebrates the City of Joliet’s plan to revitalize and infuse new life into the community’s newest collaborative community greening project.
The South Chicago Street Medians project and plantings at the Arbors and Gardens on 129th Infantry Drive is made possible through a matching grant of $25,000 from CN Railway’s EcoConnexions from the Ground Up program, which is administered by America in Bloom.
CN’s EcoConnexions grant program has completed its 11th year in the U.S. and is managed by America in Bloom. It provides opportunities for CN and the communities along its railway network to work together towards shared goals of environmental stewardship.
“This grant will provide necessary improvements to the Chicago Street medians with new plantings that will complement the streetscape enhancements that have recently been completed and underway to the north. This will improve and enhance the public image of the area,” said Laura Kunkle, America in Bloom’s executive director. “We are proud to collaborate with CN Railway and the City of Joliet on this
important grant project.”
Jayne Bernhard, Joliet city planner and liaison to the historic planning commission, said the beautification efforts will enhance the look of the city.
Referencing the South Chicago Street project, Bernhard said the medians that separate northbound and southbound traffic from Fifth Avenue at the southern end and Osgood Street at the northern end need serious upgrades to enhance the public realm and improve aesthetics.
“This beautification of the Chicago Street medians with new plantings will complement the streetscape enhancements that have recently been completed and
underway to the north,” according to the grant. “The city recently reopened and completed streetscaping along one block stretch of North Chicago Street from Washington to Jefferson Street that had been closed for approximately 40 years, and had diverted northbound vehicular traffic away from the historic core of the
downtown along a bypass route.”
Bernhard said the city intends to reconstruct North Chicago Street from Jefferson
to Webster streets starting in 2024, which will include new streetscaping elements.
“With the reopening of Chicago Street at Washington Street, there is now unimpeded access to downtown Joliet, where there are numerous cultural
institutions and where many community events take place, from the
I-80 interchange along South Chicago Street,” the grant continues. “Enhancing the South Chicago Street corridor medians with plantings will also have a ‘street calming’ effect on cars approaching the downtown, sending a message that this street is pedestrian friendly, and it is time to slow down.
“The neighborhood within which the South Chicago Street Median project lies is also comprised of low-income residents and will benefit from additional beautification that this grant opportunity would provide.”
The grant will also be used toward the Garden and Arbors on Infantry Pond, which, according to Bernhard, was chosen because of its unique ownership status.
“It is the only body of water that is owned and maintained by the City of Joliet,” according to the grant. “The city receives multiple phone calls from area residents and passersby asking that conditions along the pond be improved.
“Funding will be used to beautify the area with a variety of unique, diverse, vibrant
plants, converting it to a well-landscaped area with a welcoming garden that is a community attraction and asset. The walking path will serve as an educational tool with signage identifying plant species with some annuals, but with an emphasis on perennials.
“The pond will once again inspire gatherings and long strolls. Walking in nature has been shown to improve mental health and this area with welcoming displays of flowers, shrubs, and trees will offer a relaxing and enjoyable environment,” the grant continues. “In addition, the neighboring homeowner’s association has agreed
to manage and maintain raised vegetable gardens within the project.
America in Bloom envisions communities across the country as welcoming
and vibrant places to live, work, and play, benefitting from colorful plants and trees; enjoying environments; celebrating heritage; and planting pride through volunteerism, according to its Web site. America in Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by
encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental
and lifestyle enhancements. America in Bloom is an independent,
not-for-profit organization.
The American in Bloom ceremony is Tuesday October 8 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the gazebo located on the west side of 129th Infantry Drive.
