America in Bloom names 2012 national winners

Honors for the 2012 America in Bloom (AIB) national awards program were announced at the annual symposium 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 AIB executive director, Laura Kunkle.

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 as follows:
Greendale, IN; McCall, ID; Fayetteville, AR; Lakeside, OH; Holland, MI; Arroyo Grande, CA; and Smithfield, VA.

Criteria Award winners are as follows: (A criteria award is considered “best of the best” and is selected from among all participating communities.)
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 are as follows:
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

YouTube video contest winner: Madisonville, KY

Community Champion: Marilyn Heifner, Executive Director of the Fayetteville Arkansas Advertising and Promotion Commission.

For a complete results listing, please visit http://americainbloom.org/Awards-Program/Participants---Current-and-Past.aspx.