Durham Awards Love Your Block Grants to 6 Resident-Led Projects Revitalizing Neighborhood Spaces
DURHAM, N.C. — Across Durham, neighbors are turning ideas into impact. From community gardens to public art and green space restoration, a new round of city-backed mini-grants is putting resources directly into residents’ hands—fueling grassroots transformation in some of the city’s most historic communities.
City Invests in Resident-Led Change
The City of Durham has announced its 2026 Love Your Block mini-grant awardees, funding six resident-led projects focused on revitalizing public spaces in Lakewood, West End, and Lyon Park.
In partnership with the Office of Performance and Innovation, the city selected the winning projects from 20 applications submitted by residents and community groups.
Each project reflects a shared commitment to:
- Neighborhood beautification
- Community pride and engagement
- Creative, local solutions to community challenges
2026 Love Your Block Mini-Grant Awardees
The selected projects will bring visible improvements across multiple neighborhoods:
- $2,500 — Oak Church & Insight Colearning (Lakewood)
Shoppers Alley Backyard Project: Clearing debris, installing seating and mulch, building raised beds, and creating a community gathering space. - $2,500 — West End Community Foundation (West End)
Installing accessible raised garden beds, seating, memorial benches, and a small performance and gathering space at Langley Garden. - $2,500 — Lakewood Elementary School (Lakewood)
Installing a rainwater catchment system and partnering with a local artist to paint a mural on the cistern. - $900 — Jersey Avenue Pollinator Habitat (Lakewood)
Cleanup, invasive species removal, and native plant installation along a vacant strip of land. - $2,600 — People’s Solidarity Hub (Lakewood)
Restoring green space, creating an Indigenous plant mural, and hosting community Paint and Plan Days. - $2,250 — Radical Healing (Lakewood)
Removing invasive species, planting native habitats, installing wildlife features, and restoring murals in a community garden.
Volunteer Opportunities Ahead
Several of these projects will host community workdays throughout the spring and summer, offering residents the chance to get involved.
- Hands-on opportunities include planting, cleanup, and mural work
- Designed to build community connections while improving shared spaces
Residents interested in volunteering can sign up through the city’s Love Your Block program page.
City Leadership Applauds Community Impact
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams emphasized the importance of community-driven solutions.
“These community-driven transformations of our public spaces are exactly what makes this city great,” Williams said.
He also highlighted Durham’s partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, which helps fund and support the program.
About the Love Your Block Program
The Love Your Block program connects residents with city resources to drive neighborhood improvements.
- Supports projects like community gardens, cleanups, and public art
- Strengthens relationships between residents and local government
- Encourages civic participation and grassroots leadership
The initiative is part of a national effort to empower communities to reimagine and improve their own neighborhoods.
Conclusion
With funding now in place and community workdays on the horizon, Durham’s Love Your Block program continues to prove that meaningful change often starts at the neighborhood level. As residents step forward to lead these projects, the city is investing not just in spaces—but in the people who bring them to life.