Beautify La Crosse
Beautify La Crosse is an initiative inviting citizens to take part in creating a more environmentally sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscape throughout the City of La Crosse.
The program aims to engage the community in various activities such as tree planting, community gardening and beautification projects. By working together, residents will be able to make a positive impact on the environment and create a more vibrant and livable community.
The City of La Crosse hopes that this program will inspire residents to take ownership of their community and work towards a more beautiful and sustainable future for all.
Project Ideas:
- Plant a micro prairie in your boulevard
- Establish a Rain Garden
- Adopt a planter box in a park or landscaped area
- Plant native vegetation in traffic circles
- Develop a pollinator garden in your neighborhoods
Program Guidelines
To participate in Beautify La Crosse, applicants must showcase the following requirements to be considered for approval.
- 50% of the plants used in new planting must be native to our area.
- Planting projects require a three-year minimum commitment
- Plantings must not interfere with sidewalks or roadways
- Fire hydrants and utility lines must be accessible and visible at all times
- Plantings in road boulevards are restricted in height to 30 inches or less (not including trees)
- The city reserves the right to require the removal of unkempt or abandoned installations.
- Prohibited changes include, but are not limited to, fencing installation, paving, recycled asphalt, brick pavers, concrete, landscaping gravel, exposed aggregate, etc.
- The City is not responsible for restoring damage caused by street maintenance, drainage and utility construction, and snowplowing.
- Improvements that interfere with the performance of City operations or public utilities may be ordered for removal.
For more information and guidance, please see the official Beautify La Crosse Guidance Document.(PDF, 15MB)
Application & Approval
Beautify La Crosse Application.
Application Process:
Step 1: Identify the area which you would like to enhance, and create a simple design describing your project area and plan enhancements.
Step 2: Submit your completed application to the Parks and Forestry Department to begin the initial review.
Step 3: Following the Parks Departments Initial review, the application will be reviewed by the City of La Crosse Engineering Department and City of La Crosse Inspections Department.
Step 4: The application will be submitted to the Board of Parks Commissioners for final approval. *For reference the Board meets on the third Thursday of the month. To avoid unintended delays; applications should be submitted early in the month to allow time for departmental staff review in advance of the final review by the Board of Parks Commissioners*
Step 5
- Once approved, get started with your plantings and enhancements right away!