AIB Announces 2013 Award Winners
Top honors for the 2013 America in Bloom (AIB) national awards program were announced at its annual event in Orlando, Fla. on Sept. 2.
Participants judged on six criteria: overall impression, environmental awareness, heritage, urban forestry, landscape, and floral displays, and across four sectors: municipal, residential, commercial, and community involvement. Eight population categories were evaluated by teams of two specially trained judges.
Population Category Awards:
- Echo, Ore. Under 4,000 population
- Estes Park, Colo. 4,001 to 7,000 population
- Demopolis, Ala. 7,001 to 12,000 population
- Holliston, Mass. 12,001 to 18,000 population
- Calabasas, Calif. 18,001 to 25,000 population
- Winter Park, Fla. 25,001 to 30,000 population
- Holland, Mich. 30,001 to 50,000 population
- Greater Racine Area Over 50,000 population
Outstanding Achievement Awards:
- Washington, Mo. Urban Forestry
- Holland, Mich. Heritage Preservation
- Belpre, Ohio Community Involvement
- Estes Park, Colo. Landscaped Areas
- University of Findlay Environmental Efforts
- Gallipolis, Ohio Floral Displays
- Arroyo Grande, Calif. Overall Impression
_ Special Awards:
- Kent, Ohio Best Commercial Streetscape
- Estes Park, Colo. Most Effective Use of Bold Foliage
- Slippery Rock, Pa. Most Creative Design Using Bulbs
- Greendale, Ind. Most Sustainable Park System
- Gallipolis, Ohio Best Hanging Basket/Container Program
- Winter Park, Fla. Best Arbor Day Celebration
- Winter Park, Fla. Most Effective Water Management Program
- DeKalb, Ill. Most Dynamic Community Garden Program
- Holliston, Mass. Best Volunteer Recognition Program
- Arroyo Grande, Calif. Best Historic Restoration Project
YouTube Video Award:
- Huntington, W.Va.
_ John R. Holmes Community Champion Award:
- Beverly Dunkle, Gallipolis, Ohio
Echo, Ore. and Gallipolis, Ohio, also have been added to the rank of “Circle of Champions” for cities that have a combination of three population category wins and/or criteria awards.
For more information on AIB and registering for the next year’s awards program, visit www.americainbloom.org.