The flower van used by the Beautification Brigade

Image by Martha Gioumousis

The planters on the Commons

Hardy hibiscus blooming on Sign Triangle

The bright zinnias and sunflowers at Purity Point

Iris blooming on Dryden Road

Public planting at Seneca Point, Community Beautification

Image by Dan Klein

Flowers at Seneca Point

Community Beautification

The Tompkins County Community Beautification Program was established in 2002 with funds from the Tompkins County Tourism Program and the Hotel Room Tax, an additional 5% paid by guests at local hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts to support tourism initiatives. The goal of the program is to improve the landscaping and appearance of places where tourists might go. Visit the pages in this section to see the many ways our program helps to make Tompkins County a more beautiful and welcoming place!

Click on the Strategic Plan to the left to learn more about Beautification and Tompkins County.

FAQs

"Who painted your van?" and "Is this kale edible?" are just a couple of the questions our volunteers are asked. See more questions -- and answers -- here!

Groton Public Library

The 2016 Community Beautification Award for a Civic Association went to the Groton Public Library for outstanding landscape plantings in front of the library.

Ithaca Commons

These gorgeous new planters were installed on The Ithaca Commons following the renovation of this popular public space in 2016.

E. State St. Triangles

At the east end of the Commons, several roads intersect in an area known as the tuning fork, forming three triangles of land: the Aurora St. Triangle, Sign Triangle and Zelkova Triangle.

Business planters at the Kitchen Theatre are planted by Beautification volunteers each year.

Business Planting Day

Every year in early May, the Community Beautification Program offers downtown businesses the opportunity to have their containers planted with lovely and dramatic foliage and flowering plants.

Ithaca Traffic Rotary

The Rotary on Old Elmira Road is filled with spring bulbs, followed by summer flowers--a mix of annuals, perennials and ornamental grasses.

Contact

Martha Gioumousis
Community Beautification Program Manager
mg10@cornell.edu
(607) 272-2292 ext. 123

Last updated November 28, 2019

Public Comments

The Honorable Scott Miller, Ithaca City Court Judge, recently said that the flower planting at the bottom of the Aurora Street hill is, 'The most beautiful thing in Ithaca.'

An unsolicited appreciation
from a visitor to Ithaca:
"Visiting from Sedona, Arizona, I was riding into town on 98B with my daughter in early October and came upon the triangle garden near the commons. Behold a stunning masterpiece of color! I had to poke my eyes back into my head and pick my jaw up off the floor. Thank you Community Beautification Program!!!"
-Lorrie Petersen

Volunteer with the Beautification Brigade!

Download an application here to get started.

2019 Beautification Brigade Application

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County