The Town of Independence Awarded $750 Green Grant
The Town of Independence is awarded a $750 Green Grant in the Community Beautification Category as part of our 13th Annual Green Grants Program.
Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address an environmental concern in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.
Town Council was approached by community volunteers with an idea to enhance the vacant lot opposite the Town Park/Farmers Market pavilion to transform it into the Independence Community Tractor Garden. A vintage John Deer tractor was donated and brought to the site in an effort to tie into the farming community and add beauty through the installation of mostly native and pollinating plants and flowers. With benches on either side the tractor, visitors can enter the garden and enjoy its simple cottage appeal. It is designed to be attractive in all four seasons.
With funds provided by the Green Grant, they will transform a once vacant and weedy corner lot in the center of town into a beautiful community garden for locals, their visitors, and tourists to enjoy. They will install a paver walkway, plantings along the walkway, and low-voltage landscape light for evening enjoyment.
Once completed, the garden will include a timber frame built “Virginia is for Lovers” L-O-V-E sign behind the tractor. The final result will instill a sense of pride for the community, and a continued source of beauty as the garden matures into a restful, green, public space.