Project Background

The Bricelyn Beautification Project began taking shape in 2024 when a grant opportunity became available through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Small Town Grant Program. Although the application timeline that year was too short to fully develop a proposal, community leaders began thoughtful planning for the 2025 grant cycle.

Community Partners of Faribault County (CPFC) helped bring the opportunity to the attention of the City of Bricelyn, recognizing that grant funding could help address the need to replace several trees in the city park that had been lost to disease over the years.

To strengthen the application and expand the impact of the project, CPFC worked with local partners to form a community project committee. With the support of the Bricelyn City Council, CPFC partnered with the Bricelyn American Legion, Nels Lee Post 165, and the Bricelyn Community Club to develop a broader vision for community improvements.

In October 2025, the project was awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. While the grant will not cover every planned improvement, it provided an important starting point and helped launch a collaborative effort to enhance several shared spaces throughout the community.

Today, the Bricelyn Beautification Project continues to grow through community partnerships, local support, and a shared commitment to improving spaces that bring residents together.

Project Committee Members

Jason Anderson - Bricelyn City Council, Bricelyn American Legion

Jeff Olson - Bricelyn American Legion, Nels Lee Post 165

Sadie Burkhow - Bricelyn Community Club

Barbara Carlson - CPFC, Bricelyn Food Pantry, Bricelyn Lutheran Church

Tiffany Isaac-Ruiz - CPFC, Bricelyn Food Pantry, Our Town USA Community Foundation