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 the west and Saddle Creek Road/Fontentlle 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.

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. For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.