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Any City of Crestwood resident or neighborhood group may be eligible for a beautification grant of up to $500 to enhance a public right-of-way, public space, common ground, or even private property. Applications are accepted through June 1 of each fiscal year.

For more information, call 314-729-4863 or email us.

The City requires neighborhood volunteers to maintain these projects. To ensure their upkeep, we ask that at least three neighbors commit to helping with maintenance.

The Parks and Recreation Department will review each application. Grant requests may not exceed $500. No grant will be approved unless the Department determines the following:

1. The area to be improved consists of public rights-of-way, public or common ground, or private property that is in a prominent location and/or visible to a significant portion of the public. The improvement must provide a direct and immediate benefit to public health, safety, and welfare.

2. The proposed improvements must be uniform and compatible with the design and aesthetics of the landscaping and improvements on adjacent property, as determined by the committee.

3. The proposed improvements must comply with all City codes and not compromise public safety, as determined by the public works director or their designee.

4. The applicant’s cost estimate for the proposed improvements must be fair and reasonable.

5. The applicant and those responsible for maintaining the property, including adjacent property owners, must agree to maintain the improvements after completion.

Grant approval does not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to obtain any required building, electrical, or other permits.

Applicants must cover all project costs upfront. The city will reimburse approved expenses upon project completion. To receive reimbursement, applicants must submit receipts for all expenditures to the parks director. The parks director, or their designee, will inspect the completed work to verify substantial completion and compliance with the approved application.

Upon confirmation that the project is substantially complete, the parks director will authorize reimbursement for the approved amount. If the parks director determines that the applicant has not completed the improvements as approved, funds may be withheld until the required work is finished. In addition to the general criteria, the Parks and Recreation Department will evaluate applications based on the following:

1. Costs associated with removing dead, dying, or inappropriate plant material may be included in the beautification grant request.

2. Grants will not be approved for maintenance, trimming, or repair of existing plantings, electrical systems, or monuments. They also will not cover street signs, major retaining walls, or improvements to streets, curbs, sidewalks, or storm sewers. Small walls associated with landscaping beds are not considered retaining walls. Grants will not be approved for the same work funded by a previous grant or to reverse prior approved work.

3. Applications must be submitted by June 30 of the current fiscal year. All applications will be reviewed based on their contribution to city beautification, the appropriateness of the request, and available budget funds. Work performed before grant approval will not be eligible for reimbursement.

The Parks and Recreation Department will determine the City’s contribution to each project on a sliding scale from 0% up to a maximum of 50% of the total project cost, not to exceed $500. Approval is based on the project’s contribution to City beautification and the appropriateness of the application.