AMERICA IN BLOOM AWARD WINNER

Columbus, Ind. Blossoms with
America in Bloom Landscaped Areas Award Sponsored by Project EverGreen

National non-profit organization America in Bloom recently bestowed the Project EverGreen Landscaped Areas Award upon Columbus, Ind. Columbus’ attention to maintaining its green spaces has paid off with many regional and national awards to date. The community takes pride in its landscapes, from the formal Italianate gardens of the Irwin home to the interstate entrance to businesses and homes. Connecting these varied green spaces are 19 miles of “People Trails.”

Columbus was also honored as the winner in the 25,001-50,000 population category and received special recognition for Community Involvement, with an exceptional ''Bloom Rating" of 5 Blooms.

America in Bloom judges evaluated Columbus on eight criteria:

• Floral Displays
• Environmental Awareness
• Landscaped Areas
• Tidiness
• Urban Forestry
• Heritage Preservation
• Turf and Groundcovers
• Community Involvement

Chris Kujawa of Project EverGreen presents the America in Bloom Award to the representative from Columbus.

“A prominent environmentalist has said that landscape shapes culture. Columbus lavishes the same care and attention on its architecture, arts and community as it does its green space,” says Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen. “This city’s focus on maintaining its green spaces is exemplary, and we hope that it inspires communities across the country to take a second look at their potential.”

Representatives from Columbus, Ind.

America in Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and both personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements, and to providing educational programs and resources to that end.