Beautification Coming To Harwood Avenue After $25,000 Grant

HOMEWOOD, IL — The village of Homewood will beautify land along Harwood Avenue that borders the Canadian National railyard this year. A $25,000 matching grant from America in Bloom will help fund the project that the village of Homewood's Public Works department will conduct from this spring into the summer and fall, according to a news release.

Current plans are to plant a native landscaping in the 600+' area near the railyard. The project "will mitigate the heat island effect in that area, provide a windbreak for residents on the opposite side of the road and establish a sustainable environment for wildlife."

“We are pleased to continue our strong community partnership with CN,” Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld said. “Homewood is always working on its greening efforts and this area needs some beautification effort. We look forward to transforming it into another sustainable, environmentally friendly and attractive landscape like others around the village.”

During the project, the Homewood Science Center will provide tutorials on the importance of native landscape, the news release states. Lessons on flowering trees, shrubs, naturalized flowering grasses, prairie plants and perennial natives along with the importance of attracting pollinators, birds and endangered butterflies will be taught.