Front porches are cool. All you who grew up in the city might not take notice of them, but from a country girl who had no front porch, they’re one of the best front yard features I see in houses. Front porches bring to mind idyllic, lazy summer days sitting on a porch swing reading a book and drinking lemonade. And come on, who doesn’t like a bit of people watching?

This past year I’ve been living in a very nice residential area here in Eau Claire, which is a far cry from the university dorms or my out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere house back home. But there’s no front porch, not on my house or many of the houses in my area. The backyards are nearly all fenced in, too. The only time I’ve really interacted with my neighbors is when they helped get my car unstuck in the road after one of the snow-pocalypses we had.

Eau Claire is a great city when it comes to fostering a sense of community. But in our neighborhoods, we can lack that neighborly connection between houses because everyone’s holed up inside or in their fenced in backyards. With a few simple changes, we can create lively, beautiful areas that will be focal points of community and conversations.

Liven Up Your Green Thumbs

One way to draw some attention and create a beautiful space for yourself and your neighbors is to get planting. Eau Claire is constantly hailed as a green city, both in regards to our sustainability practices and our vibrant locally grown food scene. a great way to further that reputation, and to create something your own, then look to your own front yards.

By planting a garden or doing some landscape work, not only will you beautify your own lawn, but it’ll also be a conversation starter. And who knows? Maybe your neighbors will get involved too. Take a cue from the Schoenherr family in Woodbury, Minn. With help from artist Fritz Haeg and their neighbors, the Schoenherr’s transformed their front lawn into a community garden. Neighbors helped out planting and maintaining the garden, and were welcome to harvest the fruits (and veggies) of their labor. They even held weekly community dinners in the garden. While you don’t have to go as all-out as the Schoenherrs with their garden, but having a common project or activity like this does wonders for community building.

And did you know that you can utilize your boulevard too? (That’s the little strip of grass between the sidewalk and the road.) Eau Claire’s city ordinances allow property owners to plant and maintain the boulevards in front of their houses, so long as it’s not vegetables or weeds.

Make One Simple Move

Now I’m not saying you should totally abandon you back yard, or move everything into the front. But perhaps you could move just one activity into the front yard and make a habit of going there instead of inside or the back yard. If you’re like me and you enjoy sitting and reading, then get a patio swing and set up on the porch or front yard. Like playing outdoor games? Set some up in the front and invite the neighbors over. Have a workshop or hobby? Try moving it into the garage, and keep the door open. Not only do you get some fresh air, but people can see it and strike up a conversation. It doesn’t take a massive garden to create community. It could be as simple as sitting on a front porch swing greeting passersby, or hosting a front yard picnic with neighbors.

So go out to your front porch or yard and meet your neighbors. Make Mr. Rogers proud.

Specifics of Boulevard Planting
Eau Claire 8.28.102

Plantings cannot exceed 36 inches in height; those near intersections or driveways cannot exceed 18 inches

No vegetables

No weeds

No plants can overhang onto the streets

Cannot dig before contacting Diggers Hotline to check for lines

Non-plant material cannot exceed 50% of area and cannot erode, drain, or wash off onto the street

Green practices, including using native plants, is allowed and encouraged

No lawn ornaments

Trees must be approved by city

Boulevard is public property and any damages will not be paid.