Judging categories in detail
Three sectors of evaluation:
Municipality/Public Properties- Parks and open spaces, roads, roadsides, sidewalks, cemeteries, schools, sports facilities and open lots.
Commercial- shopping centers, stores, office buildings, restaurants, service stations, railways and bus stations (owner/staff).
Private properties/Citizens- Residences, condominiums, town houses, and apartment buildings.
Environmental Awareness - Sustainable development: policies and by-laws, waste reduction, sanitary landfill, hazardous waste collection (oil, paint, chemicals, used batteries), sewage disposal, transfer/recycle stations, recycling (paper, glass metal, plastic, used clothing, composting, Integrated Pest Management-biological control, water source and conservation, water restrictions and water management, naturalization, environmental clean-up activities, controlled burns, environmental friendly transportation.
Community involvement - Citizen's involvement in projects for the betterment and enjoyment of the whole community-horticulture/garden clubs, 4-H, school children, and seniors service groups, etc. Volunteers involved in long and short-term projects and recreation programs.
Natural and Architectural Heritage Conservation - Museums, archives, history books and interpretative programs. Policies and by -laws, preservation and restoration of buildings, homes, churches, cemeteries, site-parks and heritage gardens, trees, monuments and artifacts. Historical society, heritage advisory committee.
Urban Forestry - Written policies, by-laws and regulations, plans-short and long-term, qualified personnel or availability, inventory/data base, maintenance (IPM, pruning & frequency), new plantings - condition. Heritage trees and wood lots-preservation. Succession planting.
Landscaped Areas - Overall design and suitability for location/use. Native and introduced materials, balance of plant material and constructed elements, harmony (color, texture and shape), tasteful integration of art elements, high standards of maintenance. Site rejuvenation and rehabilitation.
Floral Displays - Arrangement, originality, distribution, location, diversity and balance, harmony, quality and maintenance. Flower beds, carpet bedding, containers, baskets, window boxes, annual perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses.
Turf and Ground Cover Areas - Quality; naturalization, use of ground covers and wild flowers, turf management (manicured to rough), maintenance (moving, height/frequency, Integrated Pest Management, fertilization program, irrigation, water restrictions). Sports fields and athletic parks.