Findlay awarded $150K for urban prairie

FINDLAY — Findlay's effort to transform flood‑damaged land into a native urban prairie has earned national recognition and a major financial boost. The city has been awarded a $150,000 grant for its urban prairie project, which is being developed along East Main Cross Street. The project is intended to improve stormwater management, increase biodiversity and create a low‑maintenance community amenity on land that has been repeatedly impacted by flooding. City officials have said the prairie will replace traditional turf grass with native plants that are better suited to absorb water, reduce runoff and withstand extreme weather, while also lowering long‑term maintenance costs. Findlay was selected as one of nine cities nationwide to receive funding through the Healthy and Sustainable Communities Grant Program, a partnership of America's Beverage Companies, the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Findlay received the top award in the small‑city category. The urban prairie project has been developed as the city looks for practical ways to reuse underutilized land and incorporate more environmentally resilient designs into public spaces. City leaders have described the project as both an environmental investment and a forward‑looking infrastructure strategy. Grant funding was announced during the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 94th Winter Meeting, held Jan. 28–30 in Washington, D.C., where a total of $1 million was awarded to cities across the country for projects promoting healthier and more sustainable communities.