Program
Flip Your Strip
Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. Removing lawn from your park strip will save an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water each year—and you can get cash for doing it. Receive $1 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design, or $1.25 per square foot if you also attend a free park strip class.
General Requirements:
- Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. If lawn has been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit, you are not eligible for this program.
- Applicant must be in good standing with a participating water provider. Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program.
- Applicants must be participating voluntarily. Projects required by governmental codes or policy are not eligible for this program.
- Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping.
- Projects that replace lawn with artificial turf are not eligible.
- Rebate checks will be made payable to the property owner.
Planting Requirements:
- Perennial plants must cover at least 60% of the converted park strip at maturity. Trees will not be considered in density calculations.
- Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. Taller plants block views, impede safety, and can interfere with city maintenance.
- Completed projects must be covered with 3-4 inches of gravel, bark, or compost mulch. Groundcover plants can qualify as mulch if 100% plant density is achieved at maturity.
- If landscape fabric is used (not recommended), it must be permeable to water and air.
- Concrete areas do not qualify for a square foot rebate, but pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted.
Irrigation Requirements:
- Completed park strips must be irrigated with low-volume drip systems. Drip systems must include filter and pressure regulators visible for inspection:
- Drip emitters must be rated at 5 gallons per hour or less.
- Bubblers, micro-spray emitters and soaker hoses are not allowed.
- Review the eligibility tab to ensure that your project qualifies for a rebate.
- Begin your application. You will be asked to provide photos of your project site and an estimated conversion area in square feet.
- Request a pre-conversion site visit. (Remember, killing or removing your lawn before this visit will make your park strip ineligible for a rebate).
- Attend a park strip class at Conservation Garden Park. Attending this class is optional, but will increase your rebate amount. To register for a park strip class, visit localscapes.com/classes.
- Complete your park strip conversion.
- Submit completion photos of your project online.
- Request a post-conversion site visit.
- Get money!
Can I apply if I have already started my project?
No, you must have living lawn in your park strip at the time of the pre-conversion visit. If you have already killed or removed lawn, your application will be denied.
I am renting or leasing. Can I apply for a rebate?
If you are renting or leasing, you must have the owner of the property apply for the rebate and be present at the pre-conversion visit. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill.
Are multi-family residences eligible for this program?
No, this program is intended for single-family residences only.
What if my park strip is just full of weeds and the lawn is dead?
Your park strip needs to have living lawn to be eligible.
If I have a tree in my existing park strip, does it need to be removed?
No, we do not promote the removal of trees from landscapes; however, trees must be watered with the installed drip irrigation system following conversion.
Can I remove my lawn and just replace it with bark, gravel, or hardscape?
No, this program requires plants and drip irrigation to be installed. This rule is in place to follow local city ordinances.
I live in an H.O.A., can I still apply?
Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA.
I am installing a landscape for a new home. Can I apply?
No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips.
How long do I have to complete my project?
You have 6 months after your application to complete your park strip project.
Park Strip Designs
Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. We’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there.
