CLEAN AND GREEN
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1CHOOSE
YOUR LOCATION Is there a lot in your neighborhood that frequently attracts illegal dumping? Clean & Green can stabilize a lot and prevent illegal dumping or establish a baseline for any other vacant lot reuse projects. |
2
DESIGN
YOUR SPACE What type(s) of intervention are needed to improve the aesthetics of your lot? How often can your group commit to tending the lot? |
3INSTALL & MAINTAIN YOUR LOT
Schedule an initial cleanup: recruit neighbors, family members, and friends to help pick up litter, remove large items, trim back woody overgrowth, and mow the lot. Don’t forget to maintain your lot regularly! |
Materials Checklist
- HAND TOOLS (Tip: borrow from Brightside St. Louis)
- Gloves
- Shovels
- Rakes
- Trowels
- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
- Safety goggles
- Closed-toe shoes
- POWER TOOLS
- Lawn mower
- String trimmer
- FENCING
- ANNUAL FLOWERS (Tip: free from Brightside St. Louis)
Local Resources
- BRIGHTSIDE ST. LOUIS
- Project Blitz—tools, gloves & trash bags
- Blitz Blooms—free annual flowers
- FOREST RELEAF OF MISSOURI
- CITIZENS’ SERVICE BUREAU - Report Illegal Dumping
Design & Maintenance Tips
CREATE A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Visit the lot regularly to pick up litter and monitor regrowth of invasive or unwanted plants. Cut these back as needed in order to maintain clear sightlines across the lot.
GIVE IT SOME FLARE
Adding a short fence, annual flowers, and some low-growing shrubs along the borders of your lot can help beautify the space. These additions will require extra maintenance, but increase the perception of your lot as an intentional space.
Visit the lot regularly to pick up litter and monitor regrowth of invasive or unwanted plants. Cut these back as needed in order to maintain clear sightlines across the lot.
GIVE IT SOME FLARE
Adding a short fence, annual flowers, and some low-growing shrubs along the borders of your lot can help beautify the space. These additions will require extra maintenance, but increase the perception of your lot as an intentional space.
SAMPLE PLANTING DESIGN
LOCAL PROJECT EXAMPLE -
Park Lane & Sarah Ave
Park Lane & Sarah Ave
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MAP OF LOCAL PROJECTS
You can view the map legend by clicking the icon in the top left corner.
If you would like to add your community greening project to this map, please submit a contact form.
MEET THE TEAM
The Vacancy Collaborative is a coalition of community representatives, private and nonprofit stakeholders, and City agencies, committed to reducing vacant property in the City of St. Louis. Reducing the negative impact of vacancy is a complex puzzle that requires coordination to achieve a shared vision. The Vacancy Collaborative is not a stand-alone entity—it was created to coordinate existing vacancy efforts under one umbrella, and to support the public and private sectors in working together toward comprehensive solutions.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
Green City Coalition (GCC) is a collective initiative of state, city, community organizations, and neighbors working collaboratively to develop and conserve green spaces that promote healthy, vibrant and engaged St. Louis neighborhoods.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
Arbolope Studio is an award-winning Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Public Art practice based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on creating innovative and impactful landscapes that balance high-quality design, social equity, and environmental resilience.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
If you have questions, comments, or additions for this toolkit, please submit a contact form.
