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Putting the 'public' in public improvements

Eagle County

On Monday, Eagle County launched a program it hopes will get the public more invested in improving their communities. It’s called the Neighborhood Partnership Program.

Groups and organizations anywhere in the county are encouraged to apply with project ideas, such as: Spruce up a park; make a community garden; improve disability access somewhere.

If your idea is chosen, the county will split the cost with you, if the budget lands somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000.

 

“[The project is] such a great way to engage the community into local public improvements,” said Adam Palmer, the environmental policy planner for Eagle County. And to do so in a way that doesn’t include so much government bureaucracy.  

 

Isn’t this what people pay taxes for? Palmer said yes, but meeting a basic standard isn’t the same as having something that a community takes ownership over. And this program is designed to do just that.

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