America in Bloom Presents 2012 Awards
The 2012 America in Bloom (AIB) national awards program were announced at the annual symposium held in Fayetteville, Ark., on Sept. 22.
“America in Bloom participation is helping communities achieve their potential. The accomplishments and progress shown by this year’s towns and cities is remarkable,” said Laura Kunkle America in Bloom’s executive director.
Each of the 27 participating towns was judged on seven criteria: overall impression, community involvement, environmental efforts, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, and floral displays, across three sectors: municipal, residential, and commercial.
Specially trained judges visited towns of similar populations and spent two days touring each community and meeting municipal officials, residents, and volunteers.
Population Category winners are:
- Greendale, IN;
- McCall, ID;
- Fayetteville, AR;
- Lakeside, OH;
- Holland, MI;
- Arroyo Grande, CA; and
- Smithfield, VA.
Criteria awards are considered “best of the best” and selected from among all participating communities. Criteria Award winners are:
- Fayetteville, AR – Heritage Preservation
- Springfield, OH – Urban Forestry
- Racine, WI – Overall Impression
- Winter Garden, FL – Landscaped Areas
- Holland, MI – Environmental Efforts
- Arroyo Grande, CA – Floral Displays
- Madisonville, KY – Community Involvement
Special Awards winners include :
- Castle Rock, WA – Best Hanging Baskets
- Rising Sun, IN – Best Program for Young People
- Hummelstown, PA – Most Creative Idea for Fundraising
- Winter Garden, FL – Best Trail System
- Holland, MI – Best Community Garden Program
- Holliston, MA – Best Tree Protection Program
- Artesia, CA – Most Effective Use of Bold Foliage
- Coshocton, OH – Best Community AIB Website
- Plymouth, IN – Community Festival that Draws the Most Attendance
- Smithfield, VA – Best Historic Walking Tour
This year’s YouTube video contest winner is Madisonville, KY.
Marilyn Heifner, executive director of the Fayetteville Arkansas advertising and promotion commission was named Community Champion.
The following cities have achieved the rank of “Circle of Champions” which is for cities that have a combination of three population category wins and/or criteria awards. Arroyo Grande, CA*; Greendale, IN*; Fayetteville, AR*; Holland, MI*; Tipp City, OH; Bexley, OH; Eureka Springs, AR; Lewes, DE; and Ocala, FL. An * denotes 2012 participants.
For a complete results listing, please visit http://americainbloom.org/Awards-Program/Participants—Current-and-Past.aspx.
Registrations for the 2013 national awards program can be submitted until February 28, 2013.
For more information, visit www.americainbloom.org.
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