The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Alliance and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society recognized the first of 31 winners of the Community Greening Award that honors community gardeners in public spaces across the Commonwealth.

The first of three regional award ceremonies took place at the Litter Summit in Camp Hill on September 12 and two other ceremonies are planned for October 28 in Pittsburgh and in Philadelphia on November 11.

The Community Greening Award, which debuted this summer, is a collaboration of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Alliance. The groups will repeat the awards program next year with entries due July 15.

“We are delighted this new partnership allows us to honor dedicated greening work across the region,” said Blaine Bonham, Jr., executive vice president of PHS.

Fifty seven nominations came from as far west as Pittsburgh and Indiana, Pa.; as central as Gettysburg and Chambersburg and throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Spaces were judged throughout August on a host of criteria including variety of plant material, maintenance, design, visual appeal, and use of space.

Studies have shown that these green spaces enhance the health, beauty and economic vitality of an area and often serve as meeting places for the community.

Entries came from civic groups, volunteers, garden clubs, businesses and municipalities. A total of 31 winners were selected including:

Western Pennsylvania: Chestnut Ridge Resort, Blairsville; Sawmill Center for the Arts, Cooksburg; Ewing Park Gardens, Ellwood City; Hughes Library at Jefferson, Jefferson;

Site at East Philadelphia Street, Indiana; Site at Philadelphia Street & East Pike, Indiana; Rose Garden in Renziehansen Park, McKeesport; PNC Firstside Park, Pittsburgh; Pleasant Hills Triangle, Pleasant Hills.

Central Pennsylvania: River Front Park, Danville; Falling Springs Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center, Chambersburg; Lincoln Square, Gettysburg;The Long Home, Lancaster; Yuengling Park & Gardens, Pottsville; Depot Square Park, Tamaqua; Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf.

Southeastern Pennsylvania: Russell School, Broomall;Buckingham Elementary School, Buckingham; Londonderry Township Park, Cochranville; Iris Garden at Delaware Valley College, Doylestown; Eaton Park, Hatboro; St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, Jamison; Roy Lomas Carpets Inc., Kulpsville; Whitemarsh Township Building, Lafayette Hill; Richardson House Community Grounds, Langhorne; Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville; West Chester Pike Traffic Island, Newtown Square; High Street Planters, Pottstown; St. John's Organic Community Garden, Phoenixville; Reading Public Museum, Reading; Shikellamy State Park, Sunbury.

For information on next year’s awards, please call Flossie Narducci at 215-988-8897 or send an email to: fnarducc@pennhort.org .

9/14/2007