Innovation in Bloom: The First EPIC Projects Come to Life

Launched in late February, the Eutopia Program for Innovation in our Community (EPIC Grants) was created to support bold and creative projects that benefit Hudson residents. In just a few short months, we've been blown away by the range and thoughtfulness of the applications we've received—from ecological restoration to community arts and education.

This program, designed to support unique and innovative community initiatives, has now seen the successful completion of two projects it helped fund: a forest regeneration project at Oakdale Park and a native pollinator garden in the heart of the City of Hudson.

The forest project, led by Peter Frank and Friends of Hudson Youth in collaboration with Greenagers, engaged eight local youth who worked between three and five days on-site, combining hands-on labor with environmental education. Together, they removed several truckloads of invasive species, including honeysuckle, barberry, ailanthus, and Norway maple. In their place, the team planted 120 native trees and shrubs that had previously been negatively impacted by overbrowsing. The plantings included a diverse mix of 11 native tree species and 6 native shrub species—such as oaks, aroniaberry, elderberry, and shagbark hickory—chosen for their benefits to pollinators, wildlife habitat, soil stability, and stormwater management. To protect the restoration work, the entire 0.35-acre site was enclosed with a deer exclosure.

The pollinator garden was installed by Britt Zuckerman on the 300 block of State Street and features over 100 native perennials and grasses. The plant selection—including Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas blue star), Monarda (bee balm), and ornamental grasses like Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)—was chosen for their successional bloom times and ability to provide visual interest across three seasons. To support healthy growth, the project included the addition of all-new topsoil and mulch, creating a vibrant and sustainable habitat for pollinators in the heart of the neighborhood.

Both of these early projects reflect the power of community-led action and long-term thinking. They invest in Hudson’s natural ecosystems while also engaging local residents—especially youth—in hands-on, educational work that leaves a lasting mark.

While these ecological efforts are great examples of what's possible, EPIC Grants are designed to support innovation across all sectors. Recent grants have also supported a community arts business, a pro-bono home inspection service, and a mobile education pop-up—each expanding access, creativity, or care in their own way. More to come on these projects in the future!

Have an innovative idea you’d love to bring to life in Hudson? We want to hear about it! Apply here.