All participants were evaluated on six criteria: overall impression, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscape, and floral displays. Additionally they were judged on their community involvement across municipal, residential, and commercial sectors. America in Bloom is the only national awards program that sends specially trained judges to personally visit participants and provide a detailed written evaluation that can be used as a guide to future improvements.
AIB judges visited communities of similar populations and spent two days touring each town, meeting municipal officials, residents, and volunteers.
Winners are as follows:
Population category winners:
- Combined Locks, WI
- Fairhope, AL
- Holland, MI
- Holliston, MA
- Lewes, DE
- Lewisburg, WV
- Lexington, KY
- Morro Bay, CA
- Saratoga, CA
- Venice, FL
Outstanding achievement awards are for one town that excels in each of the evaluated criteria. They went to the following towns:
- Edmonston, MD – Environmental Efforts
- Estes Park, CO – Landscaped Areas
- Fairhope, AL – Urban Forestry
- Holland, MI – Floral Displays
- Ottawa, IL – Community Involvement
- Santa Paula, CA – Heritage Preservation
- Winter Park, FL – Overall Impression
Special Awards were given as follows:
- Arroyo Grande, CA – Public Art that Celebrates Heritage
- Belpre, OH – Most Attractive "Welcome to our City"
- Castle Rock, WA - Best Program for Engaging Youth in the Community
- Combined Locks, WI - Most Attractive Naturalistic Landscape
- Hammond, LA - Most Innovative Environmental Initiative Involving Water Conservation
- Lexington, KY - Most Effective Way Finding Signage
- Newtown Square, PA – Best Container Display
- Rockford, IL – Best Residential Streetscape
- Saratoga, CA – Most Beautiful Canopy of Trees
To date, more than 220 towns and cities from all over the US have participated in the America in Bloom program. Cities, towns, business districts, college campuses, and military installations are all eligible to participate.
Registrations for the 2016 national awards program can be submitted until February 28, 2016. Eligible participants include towns, cities, college and university campuses, business districts, military installations, and recognized neighborhoods of large cities.
America in Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancement.
For more information
America in Bloom
Laura Kunkle
Email: [email protected]
T: +1 614-453-0744
www.americainbloom.org
