THE COLE CREEK PROJECT LAUNCHES MINI-GRANT PROGRAM
February 16, 2009
Feb 16, 2009
THE COLE CREEK PROJECT LAUNCHES MINI-GRANT PROGRAM
OMAHA – The Cole Creek Project is pleased to announce its 2009 Mini-Grant Program. Neighborhood associations, schools, churches and civic groups located within the Benson-Ames Alliance (B-AA) are eligible to apply for funding.
The mini-grant program is a component of the project’s community outreach effort, said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. A series of mini-grants will be awarded to projects that address stormwater management or water conservation in the B-AA, which is bordered by Western Avenue on the south, Sorensen Parkway on the north, 72nd Street on west and Saddle Creek Road/Fontenelle Boulevard on the east. Examples of projects that would meet the criteria are the installation and use of rain barrels, the creation of a garden featuring sustainable plantings or the production of a local video encouraging water conservation.
Grant requests are limited to $1,000.00. The application deadline is April 30, 2009, and the results will be announced May 30, 2009. Projects should begin in the spring or summer of 2009 and be completed by Sept. 30, 2009.
The Cole Creek Project, a stormwater demonstration project, is the first to follow the City of Omaha’s Urban Design Element recommendation that calls for transforming the Papio Creek waterways into a citywide public park and recreation system. It’s a partnership of the City of Omaha Department of Public Works; the City of Omaha Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property; Roncalli Catholic High School; Douglas County; Omaha by Design; the Benson-Ames Alliance; Big Muddy Workshop; Hayes Environmental L.L.C.; Lamp, Rynearson & Associates; and Olsson Associates.
The project is funded by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. Additional funding is sought for enhancements to the project, including an addition to the existing trail system and interpretive signage. For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org, or visit the web at www.colecreek.org.