CCETompkins.org | Community Beautification Program

The Community Beautification Program was established in August 2002 with funding from the Hotel Room Tax Fund, an additional 5% tax paid by guests at Tompkins County hotels, motels and B&B's to fund local tourism initiatives.

The goal of the Beautification Program is to improve the visual and aesthetic appearance of our communities, particularly on the main roads and gateways into the county, main streets of rural towns and villages, and in downtown Ithaca.

The Beautification Brigade works on plantings throughout the city of Ithaca, focusing on high-visibility areas like the Ithaca Commons and traffic medians on main roads. Grants are awarded to the rural communities for beautification projects at the county gateways and in towns and villages.

Ithaca in Bloom! Business Planting Day
May 10, 10:00 – 1:00

Volunteer to help plant windowboxes, hanging baskets and planters for City of Ithaca businesses. Call the Community Beautification Program at 272-2292, ext. 123 or email: dek22@cornell.edu if you want to help. Volunteers will receive training (Tuesday evening, May 6) and an opportunity to plant a container for themselves.

For results of Ithaca's entry in the America in Bloom competition, click here.

2006 volunteers and photos of spring and summer blooms in the City of Ithaca

"The Community Beautification Program is worth every dollar and minute
of support we can afford."

Click on the links below for information and photos of
Community Beautification projects and volunteers

Now Available: "Community Beautification - A Guide for Municipalities and Volunteer Groups"
This 30 page guide, heavily laced with photographs, provides an overview of what goes into the successful Tompkins County Beautification Program. Topics covered include site selection and preparation, lists of appropriate plants, use of planters, community involvement, resources, sample forms and flyers, and discssions of various non-plant beautification project types. Available for $15 from Tompkins County Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850.

program manager chrys gardener

For more information, contact Program Manager Dan Klein at 272-2292,
extension 123, or at dek22@cornell.edu
Mailing address: 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY 14850

A median in downtown Ithaca, summer 2005 Summer 2005 in downtown Ithaca

Beautification: The Median is the Message

TOMPKINS COUNTY COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM

TOMPKINS COUNTY
COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM