During June, I blogged that one of the great communities that I represent in Senate District 28, Greendale, was participating in this year’s America In Bloom competition. America In Bloom is a national campaign and contest devoted to promoting beautification and community involvement through the use of trees, plants, flowers, and other environmental enhancements. I am happy and proud to report that Greendale is the America in Bloom winner in the 10,001-15,000 population category!
Village of Greendale President John Hermes and Greendale Park and Recreation Director Jackie Schweitzer travelled last week to Columbus, Ohio to attend the National America in Bloom Symposium and got the exciting news about Greendale’s impressive victory.
During the 7th Annual Competition held this past summer, Greendale went up against communities of comparable size across the United States. Judging was conducted in eight categories: floral displays, environmental awareness, landscaped areas, tidiness, urban forestry, heritage preservation, turf and groundcover areas, and community involvement.
Greendale residents cleaned up neighborhoods, planted flowers at schools, held garlic mustard pulls, and raised funds to place trees at schools. The hard work and community-wide commitment paid off.
Greendale received the National Criteria Award in the Urban Forestry category, a competition involving all participating 30 communities in all population categories. The Urban Forestry award is given after communities are judged on municipal policies, bylaws, and regulation plans; distribution of trees, variety, suitability; new plantings, main street programs, new survey developments; preservation of heritage trees, woodlots, and re-planting procedures; and proper maintenance practices. Within Greendale’s population competition, the village received special recognition for their heritage preservation and was selected as the community of the year.
Greendale compiled outstanding scores. To achieve the 5-Bloom Award, a community must receive a score in each category of at least 90 points out of a maximum 125. Here is how Greendale scored in the various categories:
Tidiness (112); Environmental Effort (112); Community Involvement (119-isn't that awesome!!); Heritage Preservation (118); Urban Forestry (118); Landscaped Areas (116); Floral Displays (112) and Turf & Groundcover Areas (109).
That is truly amazing! Greendale scored 5 for 5 in 5-Bloom awards!
Greendale America In Bloom co-chair Mary Helen Block says a community celebration is in the works, to be held either sometime soon, or the village may wait until spring blooms next year.
I congratulate the entire Village of Greendale for your award-winning efforts and bringing wonderful civic pride to your community. It is an honor to represent Greendale in Senate District 28!
Here is more information from GreendaleNOW.
