Village of Greendale Wins National Beautification Competition

Press Release from Village of Greendale 10/8/08

After months of anticipation, and amid much emotion and celebration, the 2008 America in Bloom Champions were announced at the 7th Annual America in Bloom Awards Gala held in Columbus, Ohio. The Village of Greendale and Greendale School District are proud to announce that Greendale came out a winner in this national competition.

Greendale was one of 30 communities from across the United States to compete in the America in Bloom competition. Communities ranged in size from 700 residents to 300,000 residents. Greendale competed against all 30 communities for overall honors and 5 communities in its population class of between 10,001-15,000 residents. The Village was recognized for the National Criteria Award in the Urban Forestry category, beating out all 29 other communities. The Urban Forestry award criteria is evaluated for municipal policies, bylaws, and regulation plans - both long and short term; 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.

Greendale also received honors within its population category for recognition for its heritage preservation. The Village was also recognized and selected as the community of the year for its population category. However, the most impressive award Greendale won is the competition’s 5-Bloom Award. Greendale was the only competing community to win a 5-bloom rating. "Blooms" are awarded on a scale of 1 to 5 Blooms. To receive a "5- Bloom" rating, a community must attain an overall average score of 90% or higher amongst the eight criteria areas.
Greendale received an average overall rating of 91.6%. Greendale received the following evaluations: Tidiness (112); Environmental Effort (112); Community Involvement (119); Heritage Preservation (118); Urban Forestry (118); Landscaped Areas (116); Floral Displays (112) and Turf & Groundcover Areas (109).

Greendale’s 2008 America in Bloom co-coordinator Jackie Schweitzer said: “As we participated in this competition, we realized the importance community and the interconnection between government, schools, business and the citizenry. America in Bloom encouraged residents, businesses, the schools and Village to work together toward one common goal. It was the journey that was so much more enjoyable than winning. However, winning is like the icing on the
cake.”

Greendale Village President John Hermes was the one who suggested that the Village enter the America in Bloom competition. After the victory, President Hermes remarked that: “Competing in America in Bloom allowed Greendale to showcase all of our great attributes and qualities on a national stage. It provided our community organizations, businesses, schools, and government with a new and unique opportunity to work hand in hand towards a common goal and make
further improvements in our quality of life. Winning this national competition confirms our beliefs of what is special in this community and engages an even broader sense of community pride and spirit.”