Beautification Commission

Welcome to the Elk Rapids Beautification Commission

The Elk Rapids Beautification Commission recommends a budget and policies to the Village Council for the funding and operation of the a beautification program throughout the Village. The Commission promotes activities that will benefit and promote this program by encouraging participation by clubs, societies and other community groups.

The Beautification Commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Government Center (315 Bridge St., Elk Rapids, MI 49629).

TENNIS COURTS

  • Memorial Park Tennis Courts along fence line.
  • Marigolds.
  • Weed, Preen and deadhead as needed.
  • Help plant in the Spring and pull-out in the fall.
  • ADOPTED BY CATHY BRUBAKER,
    WENDY WARNER & CINDY BLOCK
    FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

BUMPOUTS

  • 4 small gardens along parking on Beach and River Streets.
  • Catnip, grasses, and daylilies.
  • Weeding and some trimming.
  • ADOPTED BY “THE BUMPOUT CREW”
  • KATHY HORSLEY, LYN CHAPPELL, KIM DAVIS
  • & CHERYL ZETTERHOLM FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

BOOK BOX GARDEN

  • River Street next to the Library Bridge.
  • Tree, black-eyed susans, butterfly weed.
  • Weeding, deadheading, and trim down in fall.
  • ADOPTED BY ELK RAPIDS PEO
    CHAPTER EB FOR THE 2023 SEASON.

TERRACE GARDEN

Terrace Garden
Soon to be under renovation
ADOPTED BY WATERSIDE BLDG
212 RIVER ST. FOR THE
2023 SEASON!

BRIDGE BASKETS

Location is US 31 at Elk Rapids, both sides of highway
Help planting in early June and WEEKLY  fertilizing of baskets
ADOPTED BY SUSAN HARVEY
FOR THE 2023 SEASON.

MEDIAN GARDEN

Location is River Street entrance to downtown
Summer weeding
ADOPTED BY KATE MANTHEY, LINDA WOODWARD, CINDY ZAROW, CAROL HELES, GRETCHEN LOSS, DEB BRODERICK & MARILYN JASONOWICZ FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

RIVER FENCE GARDEN

  • By the river path by the Library Bridge.
  • Marigolds.
  • Weed, Preen and deadhead as needed.
  • Help plant in the spring and pull-0ut in the fall. 
  • ADOPTED BY CATHY BRUBAKER,
    WENDY WARNER & CINDY BLOCK
    FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

CHLORINATION BUILDING

  • River Street across from Hertha Town Hall.
  • Sedum, Liatris, Butterfly Weed, Lavender, Crabapple tree, Burning Bush, and Evergreens
  • Weeding, Preen and trimming.
    ADOPTED BY CHRIS AND DEB GORHAM
    FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

TRAVERSE STREET PARKING

  • Parking area directly behind the theater.
  • Daisies, grasses, boxwood, and shrubs.
  • Clean out, weed, and trim down in fall.
  • ADOPTED BY SUE DIONNE AND
    SONJA PERRY FOR THE FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

TRIANGLE GARDEN

  • Directly behind walk thru to parking area.
  • Little lime hydrangeas.
  • Weeding and plant annuals.
  • ADOPTED BY SUSAN GREEN &
    PAUL SCHMEICHEL
    FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

KIDS POND GARDEN

  • Harbor Drive and Cedar, two matching garden areas.
  • Butterfly bushes.
  • Weeding.
    ADOPTED BY ROBERT & LAURA
    STALEY FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

CURVY GARDEN

  • Harbor Drive boardwalk.
  • Multiple plantings, weeding.
  • ADOPTED BY CAROL THOMPSON &
    DIANE THOMPSON FOR THE
    2023 SEASON!

BOX GARDEN

  • End of boardwalk on Harbor Drive.
  • Hostas and spirea.
  • Weeding and trimming.
  • ADOPTED BY ROBERT & LAURA
    STALEY FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

BOARDWALK GARDEN

  • On Elk River across from floating docks.
  • Indigo plants, Geraniums, Blue Fescue, and annuals.
  • Weeding near plants and along pathway.
  • Plant annuals in the spring, pull out in the fall.
  • ADOPTED BY KATHY STREHL FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

We hope you will take this opportunity to give back to the Village by helping us keep our gardens beautiful! You will have the full support of the Beautification Commission members who will advise as needed. Thanks!

HARBOR DRIVE BOARDWALK ENTRANCE GARDEN

  • Beginning of the boardwalk on Harbor Drive.
  • Hostas and spirea.
  • Weeding and trimming.
  • ADOPTED BY JACQUI BICKEL,
     JEANINE RUBERT AND BETSY
    MORATH      FOR THE 2023 SEASON!

Beautification Commission meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Government Center located at 315 Bridge St.

Sonja Perry │ Chair│ Term ending 2027

email: sperry@elkrapids.org

Susan Harvey │ Secretary  │ Term ending 2027

email: sharvey@elkrapids.org

Paula Jorge │ Term ending 2027

email: pjorge@elkrapids.org

Robyn Shank │ Term ending 2026

email: rshank@elkrapids.org

Linda Woodward │ Term ending 2025

email: lwoodward@elkrapids.org

Open Seat │ Term ending 2025

Open Seat │ Term ending 2026

Laura Shumate │ Council Representative

email:  lshumate@elkrapids.org

 

WANT TO VOLUNTEER ON THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION?

The Village of Elk Rapids is always seeking dedicated individuals to volunteer on boards and commissions. If you are interested in such a position, fill out an application form and either turn it in to the Village Government Center or email it to vllgclerk@elkrapids.org. Your application will be kept on file for one year. Vacant seats on the commissions and boards are usually filled in the month of April.

COMMISSION APPLICATION FORM (EXTERNAL LINK)

For information on time commitments, requirements, and other general information about this commission, please read through the bylaws:

BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION BYLAWS (EXTERNAL LINK)