Warrenville receives $20,000 matching grant for park improvements

America in Bloom has announced that Warrenville will receive a matching grant of $20,045 from the CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program in the United States to provide landscape improvements at the Leone Schmidt Heritage Park in the Old Town section.

The project will include functioning rain gardens that will protect water quality and help mitigate periodic flooding.

CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up, now in its second year in the U.S., provides opportunities for Canadian National Railway Company and the communities along its rail network to work together toward shared goals of environmental stewardship.

"CN is pleased to contribute to the projects that will provide environmental, health and social benefits to the communities," said Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer.

"The projects we're seeing are outstanding for their scope and creativity. We are proud to be working together for the well-being of the communities on our network."

Successful candidates were chosen based on selection criteria developed and overseen by CN's program partner in the United States, America in Bloom, which also will provide guidance in the implementation of the selected projects.

"Our excitement about this program continues, and we're extremely happy to be working with CN on this endeavor," said Marvin Miller, America in Bloom's immediate past president and program coordinator.

"Together, we're helping to bring more greening to American communities. We know that quality landscaping is a necessity rather than a luxury, and that green spaces and plants create places that people are proud to call home. "

Since its launch in the U.S. in 2014, CN's From the Ground Up program has granted awards to 10 community projects in the U.S. totaling $213,100.

Other 2015 grant recipients are: Combined Locks, Wisconsin; Kimberly, Wisconsin; Ferndale, Michigan; Dyer, Indiana; and Newbern, Tennessee.