Public Spots in Westbrook Need Tenders: Join the Fun and Adopt-A-Spot!

Application Form

Throughout town there are small public plots under signposts, at intersections, and around public buildings, that are waiting for your gardening talents to make them more beautiful.

To get started, all you need to do is:

• Find a spot you'd like to adopt. Click here to see the list
• Read the guidelines by scrolling below or click here.
• Complete an application that you'll find on the right.
• Submit your signed application to Westbrook Land Use Office, Mulvey Center, 866 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498. If you pick a spot that needs planting, we need you to submit a plan for approval with your application.
• An Adopt-A-Spot team member will contact you to confirm your adopted spot.
• Pull the 1st weed or dig your 1st hole for a new plant in your adopted spot.
• Admire a sign recognizing your valued work after several weeks.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please e-mail them to WestbrookAdoptASpot@yahoo.com

Thanks for making Westbrook a better place to live and work!

The Adopt-A-Spot Team (Rosemary Einsmann, Deborah Rie, Libby Waldron)

Westbrook Adopt-A-Apot Guidelines

General Landscape Development Guidelines

• Use plant materials that are suitable for our climate, tolerate dry/ poor soils, require less water than most, and require a minimum of maintenance. Other desirable traits are limited susceptibility to insect and disease infestation and tolerance to salt exposure.
• Plant flowers in spring after chance of frost. Plant bulbs in the fall. Plant shrubs in spring or fall.
• Use manures or compost as soil amendments to improve soil structure and increase water-retentive properties of soils.
• Use dark brown shredded bark mulch to aid in retaining soil moisture.
• Limit use of fertilizer to avoid over-stimulating plant growth which in turn increases water requirements.
• Employ proper watering practices, especially during establishment period. Water deeply to soak root zone and force roots to go deep.

General Maintenance Guidelines

• Biweekly - Remove weeds, dead head spent blooms, remove litter.
• Seasonally – Prune shrubs. If a flowering shrub, prune after flowering.

Spatial Considerations

• Clearance from the Edge of the Travel Lane - Curb or Guardrail: five(5) foot clearance necessary.
• Median Planting - No trees or shrubs with caliper four(4) inches or greater.
• Island Planting - Ultimate height of shrubs to be no greater than three(3) feet

Call Westbrook Public Works Department - (860) 399-3047 x152 - to request debris pickup and mulch delivery. Please call a week before you need the pickup or delivery.

Available Locations