Mayor Eddie Melton Announces City of Gary Love Your Block Mini-Grant Award Winners

Gary, IND. — Today, Mayor Eddie Melton proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 Love Your Block mini-grant program. This program is designed to support local grassroots organizations dedicated to transforming Gary's neighborhoods through creative, resident-led projects. The City of Gary received over 60 applications and selected 21 winning proposals that embody the spirit of community pride, beautification, and civic collaboration.

Starting in June 2025, approximately $100,000 in mini-grants will be awarded to support these 21 neighborhood projects, with $80,000 contributed by the City of Gary, and $20,000 provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“These projects show what’s possible when neighborhoods lead—and the city listens,” stated Mayor Melton, “I'm proud to support these visionary residents who are revitalizing and beautifying Gary, one block at a time.”

The Love Your Block program, powered by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, brings city leaders and residents together to build stronger neighborhoods, one block at a time. Love Your Block grants fund resident-led revitalization efforts across the country, turning vacant lots into vibrant gardens, repairing public spaces, and clearing debris to create cleaner, safer communities. A 2021 Urban Institute study found that Love Your Block programs improve social cohesion, civic participation, and trust in local government.

In Gary, the winning projects reflect alignment with city priorities including public safety, youth engagement, and sustainable neighborhood beautification. From Glen Park to Black Oak and Midtown, these grantees are reshaping the landscape and the spirit of the city.

Selected Projects Include:

• Dump Away and Have a Great Day Dumpster Program (Midtown): Hosting community dumpster events to reduce blight and promote responsible waste disposal.

• Operation R.E.C.O.N. (Midtown): Clearing overgrowth and engaging youth in environmental care and skill-building.

• Pyramid Drive Beautification Project (Midtown): Murals on a privacy wall that honor 40 years of community excellence.

• Mystical Farm Agri-hood Elevation Project (Midtown): Transforming a community garden into a full “agri-hood” with sustainable amenities.

• Glen Park Changers – 3724 Broadway (Glen Park): Creating a public plaza with astroturf, stage, and bold neighborhood signage.

• Midtown Changers – 17th & Washington (Midtown): Developing a welcoming gateway with flower beds, a stage, and community sign.

• RPG Basketball Court Revitalization (Midtown): Renovating a neighborhood court with fresh blacktop and new equipment.

• RPG Park Expansion Project (Midtown): Youth-led construction and repair of local recreational space.

• Phoenix Project #2 (Glen Park): Building the first community park for children and families in the area.

• Greater Gary Gateway (Midtown): Public art honoring Gary icons with murals and carved benches along Broadway.

• The Butterfly Block (Black Oak): Converting vacant lots into healing spaces with literacy stations, tire art, and outdoor stages.

• GPTC Public Art and Placemaking (Midtown & Glen Park): Colorful murals at transit stops that inspire civic pride.

• Van Buren Connection Community Garden (Glen Park): A 2,000 square foot garden project bringing neighbors together to grow food and unity.

• C3 Commons + Green Space (Midtown): A community sanctuary with art, native gardens, and gathering zones.

• Promise of Tomorrow Sunflower Field (Midtown): Transforming vacant lots into sunflower fields promoting hope and regeneration.

• Neighborhood Revive Drive (Black Oak): Beautifying parks and teaching children sustainable gardening.

• Polished in the Park (Glen Park): Summer-long park cleanups, mural painting, and community festivals.

• Midtowners United (Midtown): Multi-site beautification with planters, safety signage, and lighting.

• Bright Future Urban Agriculture Project (Glen Park): Creating gardens and a chicken coop for healthy food access.

• Bright Future Basketball Court (Midtown): Renovating a court into a vibrant hub for play and connection.

• Junedale Little League Field Revitalization (Glen Park): Restoring a historic ballfield into a dynamic youth sports center.

"I have had the privilege of working closely with these incredible grassroots leaders during the Love Your Block process,” stated Kianna Grant, Director of Constituent Services. “They bring a depth of vision and understanding to each of their neighborhood projects. We're honored to support their work and see how it transforms our city.”

Residents are encouraged to volunteer to support one of these projects by visiting the City of Gary’s volunteer hub at: https://lakeshorepublicmedia.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=170332

For more information on the Love Your Block initiative, visit gary.gov/loveyourblock or email lyb@gary.gov.  

‍Media Contact:

Erika Blackwell, Chief Communications Officer, City of Gary
eblackwell@gary.gov  | (219) 806-6489

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