There was plenty for an America in Bloom judge to like on a recent tour of Addison. Photo: addisongreen.info
Addison is one of four municipalities in the 15,001-25,000 population range competing in this year’s America in Bloom, joining Arroyo Grande, California; Junction City, Kansas; and Webster Groves, Missouri.
Why Addison, and why now?
“It seemed like a quality program that would give us an outsider’s perspective on how the Town rates on criteria ranging from landscape quality levels to environmental efforts,” Parks and Recreation Director Slade Strickland explains.
Between May and August, AIB judges spend two days in each participating town, evaluating projects and consulting with residents and volunteers. From those observations and interviews, they develop an extensive written evaluation, providing feedback on where towns excel and offering suggestions for further initiatives and improvements.
Photo: addisongreen.info
Through 2009, participants included more than 170 towns and cities from 38 states.
A judge visited Addison earlier this month and rated the Town’s efforts.
“They wanted to see all public landscape sites, parks, single and multi-family landscaping and private property landscaping,” Strickland said. “They judged the Town on eight criteria, which included Tidiness Effort, Environmental Effort, Community Involvement, Heritage, Urban Forestry, Landscaped Areas, Floral Display, Turf and Ground Cover Areas.”
Winners will be determined in both population and criteria categories and will be announced at the AIB Symposium and Awards, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in St. Louis.
America in Bloom is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. The organization provides educational programs, resources, and the challenge of a friendly competition between participating communities across the country.
Winners in 2009 included Echo, Oregon; Charles City, Iowa; River Falls, Wisconsin; Collierville, Tennessee; Lompoc Valley, California; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photo: addisongreen.info
Tags: Addison beautification, America in Bloom, America in Bloom contest
