National beautification award commends Beloit, Wis.
The 2007 Landscaped Areas Award was recently presented to Beloit, Wis., by Project EverGreen. Each year, this national award is presented to one city that stands out from other communities that entered the America in Bloom competition.
American in Bloom judges evaluated Beloit, as well as all other entrants, on eight criteria:
* Floral displays
* Environmental awareness
* Landscaped areas
* Tidiness
* Urban forestry
* Heritage preservation
* Turf and groundcovers
* Community involvement.
“When a community takes care of its green spaces, you know it takes care of its citizens,” said Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Beloit demonstrates a strong understanding of the lifestyle, economic and environmental benefits that green spaces have to offer, and I hope that other communities will follow suit.”
Delilah Onofrey, external relations chair for America in Bloom, said this year’s judges feel Beloit is the best-kept secret in the Midwest, with hard-working residents who take pride in everything they do.
“Beloit has an outstanding planting project, mixing sculptures and plantings at the riverfront park,” Onofrey said. “This planting display uses low-maintenance, native prairie perennial plants and grasses that evoke the spirit of the place. Sustainable design is used throughout the city, integrating perennials and grasses.”
Onofrey said the city has expanded its parks department and reinvented it as a “leisure division,” with “leisure crews” focused on making Beloit a great place to enjoy.
This year, 30 communities from all regions of the country participated in the sixth annual America in Bloom competition, which selects winners according to seven population categories. The seven winners for this year are (according to population):
* 5,000 or less – Frankenmuth, Mich.
* 5,001-10,000 – St. Clairsville, Ohio
* 10,001-15,000 – Buffalo, Minn.
* 15,001-25,000 – Red Wing, Minn.
* 25,001-50,000 – Beloit, Wis.
* 50,001-100,000 – Ocala, Fla.
* 100,001-300,000 – Rockford, Ill.
In addition, eight special awards were presented to communities that received high marks out of all contestants in the seven population categories. Besides the Project Evergreen Landscaped Areas Award, presented to Beloit, Wis., winners included:
* Ball Horticultural Co. Floral Displays Award–Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
* Meister Media Worldwide Heritage Preservation Award–Norwich, Conn.
* American Horticultural Society Community Involvement Award–Kirkwood, Mo.
* The Scotts Co. Turf and Groundcover Areas Award–Peoria, Ariz.
* Gardens Alive! Environmental Awareness Award–Red Wing, Minn.
* Lesco/John Deere Landscapes Tidiness Award–Greendale, Ind.
* J Frank Schmidt and Son Co. Urban Forestry Award–Ithaca, N.Y.
For information about entering the 2008 America in Bloom competition, visit http://www.americainbloom.org/.