Ray Bradbury's Hometown Greens, Inspired By His Stories

In a great green example of life imitating art, Ray Bradbury's hometown is kicking off an eco-friendly plan inspired by his writing, reports the Chicago Tribune. Waukegan, Illinois on Lake Michigan even named the initiative after Bradbury's nickname for his boyhood home: "Green Town."

In semi-autobiographical stories, Bradbury had immortalized an idyllic town full of lush greenery. But sprawl, population growth, deterioration and degradation had taken their toll in the decades since the 1920s and 30s, when he lived there. Now, The Green Town Project aims to help call attention to the leafy neighborhoods that remain, as well as spur fresh revitalization.

Over the next five years, planners hope to launch a farmers' market and gardens and wildflower prairies in vacant lots. Longer-term goals include green roofs, renewable energy, a festival, honey production and a Ray Bradbury Center dedicated to exploring green technologies. A half-acre city garden is scheduled to be dedicated today, overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan.

The project is getting support from the University of Illinois Extension, as well as local volunteers and officials. Leaders hope to raise $2.7 million over five-years, according to the Tribune.

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